| P a g e
END TERM EVALUATION DRAFT REPORT
COFFEE FARMERS IN DIRE STRAITS PROJECT
SEPTEMBER, 2020
@African Research and Economic Development Consultants Ltd
5/29/2020
| P a g e
Final Report 1
Prepared by:
Noble Consultants Company Limited
P.O Box 448-00200, Nairobi Tel: +254 72288072
QUALITY TRACK TO REPORT
Authored by S. Njuguna Ndirangu, Urbanus N. Mutwiwa,
Mzeeh H. Ngutu
Project:
Client
END TERM EVALUATION: COFFEE FARMERS
IN DIRE STRAITS PROJECT
Fairtrade Africa: East and Central Africa
Network
Revision No. Date of Submission of
the Final Report 1
30th September 2020
©Noble Consultants Company Limited. September, 2020
i | P a g e
Acknowledgements
The Noble team wishes to acknowledge the support and guidance provided by the FTA team-
the Operations Manager- East and Central Africa Network; Monitoring Evaluation and
Learning (MEL) specialist; and Project officer-CAP; We Effect Programme manager; General
Manager-MCU; project beneficiaries and all other stakeholders contacted during the
evaluation.
ii | P a g e
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ............................................................................. i
Acronyms and Abbreviations.......................................................... vii
Executive Summary ......................................................................... viii
About the Report ................................................................................................................ xvii
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 1
1.1 Background and Rationale .......................................................................................... 1
1.1.1 Purpose, Objectives and Scope of the Assignment .................................................. 1
1.1.2 Scope and Deliverables of the Assignment.............................................................. 1
1.2 About Climate Academy Project (CAP) ....................................................................... 2
1.2.1 Overview of CAP ...................................................................................................... 2
1.2.2 CAP Partners ........................................................................................................ 2
1.2.3 CAP Activities....................................................................................................... 2
2 A LOOK AT THE COFFEE INDUSTRY ......................................... 5
2.1 The Global Outlook ..................................................................................................... 5
2.1.1 Climate Change and Coffee ..................................................................................... 5
2.2 Coffee Value Chain in Kenya ....................................................................................... 6
2.2.1 Production ........................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Overview of Coffee production, Socio economic and climate factors in Machakos,
Kericho and Nandi ................................................................................................................. 7
3 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY ............................................ 8
3.1 Research Design, Approach and Analytical Framework............................................. 8
3.1.1 Overall approach ..................................................................................................... 8
3.1.2 Research Design and Methodology ..................................................................... 8
3.2 Analytical Framework – Data Analysis Approach .................................................... 10
4 RESULTS ........................................................................................ 11
4.1 Brief Overview of the FCSs and Machakos Union (MU) ........................................... 11
4.2 Socioeconomic Characteristics of Sampled Farmers in the 3 Counties .................... 12
4.2.1 General socio-economic characteristics ............................................................ 12
4.2.2 Coffee production .............................................................................................. 12
4.3 Findings along key thematic areas and DAC criteria ................................................ 14
4.3.1 Relevance ........................................................................................................... 14
4.3.2 Effectiveness and Impact ................................................................................... 16
4.3.3 Efficiency............................................................................................................ 39
iii | P a g e
4.3.4 Sustainability ..................................................................................................... 41
4.4 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 42
4.5 Case studies; Lessons learned; Best Practices and Recommendations .................... 48
4.5.1 Case studies ........................................................................................................ 48
4.5.2 Lessons and Best Practices ............................................................................... 50
4.5.3 Good practices ................................................................................................... 51
4.5.4 Scalability and replicability................................................................................ 52
4.5.5 Recommendations – .......................................................................................... 52
5 REFERENCES ............................................................................... 55
6 APPENDIX ...................................................................................... 57
iv | P a g e
List of Tables
Table 1: Production, Area and Average Yield of Coffee by Type of Grower between 2014 and
2019 ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Table 2: Farmers Cooperatives societies, membership and the number of workers ............... 11
Table 3: Land size, area under coffee, number of trees and years growing coffee .................. 13
Table 4: Relevance of the Climate Academy project activities to FTA thematic areas ............ 15
Table 5: Change in income from coffee, coffee productivity, area under coffee and assets .... 18
Table 6: Proportion reporting slight to high changes in some household parameters ........... 19
Table 7: Access to improved energy and sanitation services by households ........................... 21
Table 8: Proportion of farmers participating in trainings on agribusiness ............................. 22
Table 9: Time used to gather firewood in Kericho and Nandi ................................................. 33
Table 10: Some parameters on the use of biogas as fuel (Kericho) ......................................... 33
Table 11: Time used to gather firewood in Machakos .............................................................. 34
Table 12: Women participation in decision making on coffee ................................................ 37
Table 13: Women participation in decision making on biogas ................................................ 37
v | P a g e
List of Figures
Figure 2: Key Areas of the Analysis ........................................................................................... 8
Figure 3: Reconstructed Theory of Change (ToC) for the Climate Academy Project ................ 9
Figure 4: Production in the six FCS in Machakos during the project period .......................... 14
Figure 5: Economic status and quality of life measures before, during and after the project 17
Figure 6: Percentage of beneficiaries associating (slight to highly) the change in parameters to
project ......................................................................................................................................20
Figure 7: Ratings of the usefulness of the various trainings under the CAP in Machakos ...... 23
Figure 8: Overall Scope Basic Assessment score for the six FCS before and after the project
.................................................................................................................................................. 24
Figure 9: SCOPE Score for different dimensions before and after the climate academy project
in Machakos ............................................................................................................................. 24
Figure 10: Use of labour in farm work in Machakos and Kericho .......................................... 26
Figure 11: Access to credit among members of the participating FCS in Machakos ............... 28
Figure 12: Cherry prices to farmers in the participating in the climate academy project in
Machakos in 2017 and 2019..................................................................................................... 29
Figure 13: Proportion of respondents reporting that their knowledge was fair to high .......... 32
Figure 14: Proportion of respondents indicating their level of knowledge was fair to high.... 32
Figure 15: Proportion of female and men supported by project in each factory (2019) ......... 36
Figure 16: CAP adopted MEL activities adopted from ECAN MEL framework ..................... 40
vi | P a g e
List of Annexes
Annex 1: The Terms of Reference (attached)........................................................................... 57
Annex 2: : Kapkiyai and Kakuyuni FCSs Case studies (attached) .......................................... 57
Annex 3:Photographs (as a separate attachment) ................................................................. 57
Annex 4: Consent forms (as separate attachment) ................................................................ 57
Annex 5: Attendance Lists for Focussed Group Discussions .................................................. 58
Annex 6:Key Informants Interviewed ..................................................................................... 59
Annex 7: Change in some household parameter and Association to project Machakos ......... 61
Annex 8: Change in some household parameter and Association to project Kericho ............ 62
Annex 9: Trainings and effectiveness ...................................................................................... 63
Annex 10: Level of knowledge on areas capacity building was done ...................................... 65
Annex 11: Assets Owned by Households ................................................................................. 66
vii | P a g e
Acronyms and Abbreviations
AFFA Agriculture and Food Authority
BDA Business Development Advisor
CA Climate Academy
CAP Climate Academy Project
CIDP County Integrated Development Plan
DAC Development Assistance Committee
FCS Farmer’s Cooperative Society
FGD Focused Group Discussion
FTA Fairtrade Africa
HH Household
ICS Internal Control System
IGA Income Generating Activity
KALRO Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation
KCIDP Kericho County Integrated Development Plan
KCTA Kenya Coffee Traders Association
KES Kenya Shillings
KI Key Informant
KII Key Informant Interview
MCIDP Machakos County Integrated Development Plan
MEL Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
MCU Machakos Cooperative Union
NCIDP Nandi County Integrated Development Plan
NGO Non-Governmental Organisation
OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
SACCO Savings and Credit Cooperative
SALM Sustainable Agricultural Land Management
SPO Smallholder Producer Organisation
ToC Theory of Change
TOR Terms of Reference
UNDP United Nations Development Program
VSLA Village Savings and Loans Association
viii | P a g e
Executive Summary
Background Information Fairtrade Africa (FTA) the umbrella organization representing Fairtrade certified producers in Africa and the Middle East works within the Fairtrade system to support over 1.1 million farmers and workers in over 500 producer organizations spread over 33 countries. The support to producers is aimed at enabling them to maintain their Fairtrade certification which enables them to access better prices, decent working conditions and fairer terms of trade. Fairtrade Africa interventions are guided by the Fairtrade Theory of Change that is aligned with the three Fairtrade Goals: Make Trade Fair, Improving Sustainable Livelihoods and Empowerment of workers. The Climate Academy Project aimed to increase the climate change resilience of coffee farmers organized in 8 Kenyan Smallholder Producer Organizations (FCSs) in Machakos, Nandi and Kericho counties through training and subsequent application of insights, skills and techniques designed to better adapt to climate change. The aim of this evaluation was to provide an opportunity for the partners to review the performance and achievement following the implementation of the first phase of the project. Methodology Adopted Both consultative and participatory approaches were used to collect relevant qualitative and quantitative data. Multiple data sources; primary and secondary were used to assess the performance and achievement of the Coffee Farmers in Dire Straits Project. A two-prong approach comprising of desktop review of literature and field work, was adopted for the evaluation. Key Findings The findings along the FTA thematic areas, DAC evaluation criteria and along the key activities indicate that the project was able to achieve its desired goals and objective. The analysis of findings was undertaken bearing in mind that Fairtrade label comprises of requirements to be adopted by various players in the production chain with a focus on people, planet and profits. The broad Fairtrade goals of making trade fair, improving sustainable livelihoods and empowering farmers and workers were therefore a major consideration in the evaluation. Compliance with broad Fairtrade Goals
• Results indicate that the members of the producer groups are actively cooperating both horizontally (among themselves) and vertically (in the value chain like was the case with Machakos Cooperative Union and government).
• The project empowered 8082 active coffee farmers (of which 33.3% were women) in Machakos, Nandi and Kericho counties, through a number of activities; trainings, demonstration and technology support. For example, a couple of community projects like one rainwater harvesting systems and one solar energy systems installed at the main offices of each of the six participating FCS’s in Machakos county to act as demonstration units to farmers. Five greenhouses were installed in 5 FCS’s and 1 in MCU. Moreover, an equivalent number of tree nurseries and poultry incubation units were set up for use by the farmers as part of the alternative income generating projects. The uptake of these technologies was impressive except for the capital-intensive ones (greenhouse and solar).
• The project empowered the farmers through its various activities; such as better incomes, employment creation, among other aspects
• The FCSs continued to make trade fair; for example, Machakos Cooperative Union organized for the marketing of coffee in a transparent manner. They have a screen connected to the Nairobi coffee exchange display the current prices for coffee beans when the auction is open. Any farmer can access the facilities to catch up with coffee trade. There was a challenge of the global market price for coffee during the period under review being fairly volatile while harsh weather depressed production in 2019 by 41% that of 2018, decreasing farmers income by an average of KES 14 per kilogramme of cherry.
ix | P a g e
• The resilience to climate change and a sustainable environment was strengthened through a number of initiatives; for example, in Machakos farmers had adopted the planting of shade trees within their coffee farms in an effort to improve the environment. Farmers who participated in the CAP project had double the number of shade trees in their farms compared to the control group (project farmers reported to have an average of 108 trees, compared to control group members who had 41.6 trees), confirming the reach of the 10,000 subsidized seedlings provided by the project. Moreover, adoption clean energy for domestic purposes like cooking was remarkable with 91% and 14% of the respondents in the treatment and control, respectively reporting use of biogas units as opposed to firewood, in Kericho-Nandi.
Performance based on OECD Criteria Relevance. The project was relevant to the beneficiaries as reported in through challenges
identified in baseline survey and during project evaluation and through the activities
implemented through the project. The project activities, outputs, and outcome relate with the
FTA thematic area and to the FTA ToC; with focus on improving economic empowerment,
wellbeing, diversified livelihoods, environmental sustainability, gender equity, working
conditions, resilient and empowered producer organisations and farmers. The project was also
aligned to the County and national government’s development agenda. For instance, it
followed recommendations made by the national taskforce on coffee (2016) especially on the
need to improve quality and quantity of coffee. It is the vision of the national and county
governments to improve the standards of living of all citizens especially through trade. Climate
change continues to threaten livelihoods of small holder coffee farmers necessitating the need
for alternative sources of income thus the objectives are very valid to the needs of the target
group. Knowledge and skills are key in successful adaptation and mitigation to climate change
thus the capacity building activities were of great importance-most of the technologies
documented in the climate academy manual, an output of this project, will go a long way in
sharing the knowledge among a wider audience. Despite the high capital requirement, the use
of biogas for cooking was spreading slowly in Kericho and Nandi counties, mainly due to the
high cost of construction material (attributed to high transport costs as road was in bad state
during the project implementation period).
Efficiency. The project objectives were well formulated and the project enhanced value for
money as activities were undertaken as planned and in a shorter time. There was some saving
on fund on some activities, with savings of 3.79% on total budget. The project MEL framework
was effective in realigning the project to its goal, and in sharing and documenting project
progress-activities, outputs and outcomes.
Effectiveness and impacts. The project was successful in changing the livelihoods of the
beneficiaries through the various interventions as reflected in improvement in value of assets,
saving in time for sourcing of energy and energy cost. However, it is worth noting that the
benefits of some of the interventions like fruits from avocado or macadamia shade trees or use
of improved coffee varieties and domestication of the Fairtrade code in production, may take
time before realisation, the project has certainly made a positive difference in the lives of the
beneficiaries. Use of biogas and/or improved cookstove as an alternative to the traditional jiko
for cooking has freed time among women to focus on alternative sources of income like poultry
keeping. For instance, in Machakos, 16.7% of the respondents among the participating FCSs
reported having started IGAs while 21.4% were affiliated to a VSLAs compared to 15.1% and
9.7% respectively, in control group. In addition, the value of assets, a good measure of
economic status in the short run had improved; with a reported 39.4% and 27.2% increase for
those in treatment and control group in Machakos and 25 and 21.2% for those in Kericho
x | P a g e
groups respectively. The trainings were reported to be important and, the farmers reported
utilising the knowledge acquired. Furthermore, trainings on governance had improved the
SCOPE assessment score for 6 FCSs in Machakos from an average of 3.4 in 2017 to 3.5 in 2020.
For example, close to 53% of the respondents in the treatment reported trusting the way
cooperatives calculated and explained prices, and agreed that their cooperative had improved
since 2017, and with 40.3% noting that managers are able to make better decisions now
compared to three years ago.
CAP was found to have had some community impact. For instance; VSLAs had improved social
interaction and cohesion amongst the community; The coffee roaster installed for MCU is
expected to increase returns on coffee, and therefore improve incomes of the community
through better prices; IGAs and biogas construction jobs had already started creating
employment, including to women and youth, in the rural areas, and in the long run is expected
to lead to reduced rural-urban migration; the proportion of respondents accessing credit had
improved significantly in the treatment (23.3% compared to control 16.7%).
The study found that the project had mainstreamed gender in its implementation, as reflected
in the gender analysis survey as well as MEL and other reports which factored gender and
youth. The participants reported youth composition in their membership, with 21.7% of target
beneficiaries in Kapkiyai being youth, while participation of women in decision making was
high for treatment group; for example, 76.7 % of respondents reported that women in
treatment group in Machakos were involved (singly or jointly with husbands) in decision
making on selling of coffee; this was higher than in control group (61.9%).
The sustainability of the project is demonstrated through the strengthening of FCS
management on governance which is critical to better decision makings and will remain within
the producer organisations even after the project ends. In addition, the technologies promoted
and the establishment of demonstration farms will ensure that beneficiaries continue to
benefit from these interventions. Local promoter farmers who were trained live among the
communities and are likely to continue being consulted by farmers while the natural growth
of VSLAs will continue to provide access to financial services to the communities. However,
the lack of structured linkage to market for some of the products from IGAs like poultry and
or fruits could affect their sustainability.
Lessons Learned
• Projects that have activities that lead to quick returns/incomes and technologies that
are current are easily taken by the youth.
• Recruitment of key project staff early in project implementation ensure smooth and
effective project implementation.
• Qualified and appropriate management of institutions are key to ensuring
collaboration, smooth project implementation and beneficiaries’ participation
• Provision of adequate time as well as adherence to timelines identified during initial
project development ensures that activities are implemented as planned, and the
desired impact is realized.
• Gender mainstreaming need be factored early including in concept development;
delays in undertaking the gender analysis and failure to include gender considerations
in project development may limit effective gender mainstreaming.
xi | P a g e
• When project has a short time period some aspects might not be fully implemented
and also desired benefits might not be realised within project time frame;
• Variations in geographical conditions for different project sites can vary the cost of the
different technologies; increasing cost in some situation
• When key stakeholders are involved from in the project, it helps bring and improves
on synergies and support from other stakeholders like County government.
• It is important to consider, as much as possible, a value chain approach in
interventions because omitting key value chain activities such as market linkages may
limit their success.
Good practices
• An efficient and participatory MEL arrangement incorporated early in project ensured
efficient implementation of projects
• Tailoring interventions along local solutions or building on local systems (like chamas
to VSLAs) enhanced adoption of new technologies and approaches, and improved the
success and ownership of the initiative, as beneficiaries easily identified with it.
• Proper planning in the initial stage ensured smooth and timely project
implementation, mapping of the stakeholders, definition of their roles and
management of their expectations.
• Undertaking baseline study helped in ensuring that the concerns of beneficiaries were
factored into the project; the strengths and roles of stakeholders were understood and
the right stakeholders were selected; and that realistic targets are set
• The use of institutions already established in the target area, like MCU in Machakos,
improved project acceptance and contributed to its success due to close monitoring.
Such institutions continue undertaking some activities long after the project ends. Also
use of institutions, like We Effect, familiar with project sites and with experience in
handling similar project components and working with beneficiaries ensured
smoother implementation of projects.
• Organizing groups meeting at the respective FCSs ensured better participation of
members, as has been seen with the VSLAs. This is improving relationship between
management and members as well as cohesion among them.
• Use of local trainers and artisans was an effective way of provision of technologies and
skills, as beneficiaries have quicker access to services and also associate well with local
providers of such technologies.
• Piloting technologies through the FCSs was an effective and cost-effective way of
transferring technologies; there is trust, possibility of wider reach, and sustainability
of the started activities through continuous support by the FCSs
• Building on lesson from previous project, and scaling efforts earlier initiated ensured
a quick start and implementation of project; for example, building on Women in Coffee
biogas project in Nandi and Kericho.
• Use of promoter farmers, ToTs as well as documentation of good practices, success
stories and experiences like it was with the development of the climate academy
xii | P a g e
manual, will facilitate the sharing of the same to a wider audience thus having a
multiplier effect.
• Interventions which are not complicated to adopt, and whose benefits are multiple,
like the use of avocado/macadamia as shade trees (provide shade, fruits, timber and
fuel) or chicken (provide eggs, manure and meat) were easier to promote among
smallholder farmers as they do not require heavy capital investments like greenhouses.
• Use of locals to train youth as masons for biogas projects was well received and will
increase sustainability of the initiative as the knowledge to implement it is within the
community.
• Smallholder farmers organized in cooperatives are influential in getting local leaders
make policies in their favour, like it was in Machakos, which led to the enactment of
the cooperatives bill and establishment of a Chief Officer coffee position in Machakos
County.
• Regular reporting as well as frequent, timely and effective communication
strengthened project implementation.
Scalability and replicability
It is possible to replicate or upscale the following interventions in the same project areas and
/ or in other areas with similar characteristics;
• VSLAs
• IGAs and especially poultry and coffee roasting
• SALM technologies and practices especially on coffee shade trees
• Renewable energy technologies; biogas, cookstoves and solar energy
• Use of promoter as an extension methodology and use of local artisans to support
technology fabrication and transfer
• Strengthening of SPOs on aspects promoted through CAP
Recommendations –
General recommendations
• Developed projects should strive to enhance the success of introduced initiatives
through offering more support services such as linking farmers introduced to
production of for example poultry to the markets. There is also need to support input
supply and loans access to boost production for the farmers, for example through
better linkages.
• There is need to have activities that target the youth, like projects that have quick
returns and have current aspects desired by youth; for example, training on simple
technologies such as biogas and solar installation, or translation of the short message
service in local dialects or any other initiative which captures the use of information
technology and social media.
• Target should be improving farmers’ welfare and not the enterprise, so project should
also factor in support programmes or activities that improve farmers’ livelihoods for
example irrigation in the arid areas of Machakos.
• Proper communication, especially on financial matters and expectations, should be in
a timely manner to avoid misunderstandings; a communication plan need be factored
during project development and implemented throughout to enhance this.
xiii | P a g e
Recommendation to FTA
Planning and project design
• There is need to include key stakeholders early in project planning, to ensure their
continued participation and support to project.
• There is need to ensure that an exit strategy is incorporated in project design, such as
development of a program for example through discussion with the County
governments for project extension or new donor support, to enhance market linkage
like for poultry in Machakos. A similar program could be supported to ensure in
Kericho and Nandi, biogas beneficiaries’ access easily and cheaply materials for repairs
and maintenance of biogas units.
• Complete bill of quantities needs to be developed during project development to avoid
budget escalation; for example, the poor road network increased BQs for Kabng’etuny
biogas systems.
• There is need to have budgetary provision to motivate ToTs
• Differentiated budgeting based on varied conditions of each partner (FCS), would be
needed. For example, for Kakuyuni production had gone down and they needed more
than training to bring the farmers back. Funding and number of technologies provided
should be based also on the size of the FCS and not a flat rate figure for all participants.
• FTA need to build capacity and recruit staff in the various project components instead
of using other partners; this could lower the cost of project implementation.
Furthermore, there ought to be proper succession planning in every project to ensure
no delays in case of staff movement
Project implementation
• Baseline survey should be done early in the project cycle starting immediately after
kick off, so as to establish the actual status of key aspects of the ground as well as create
awareness about the project. This will enable the project implementer to measure
impact easily, as well as map stakeholders and clarify their roles. Furthermore,
understanding specific beneficiaries needs way early before implementation of key
project activities, helps in setting realistic targets
• Piloting of technologies through demonstration sites closer to the farmers’ farms, so
that farmers do not travel far to see technologies. Moreover, farmers would relate more
with results if they happen at a colleagues/neighbours farm than at a factory facility.
• A more supportive and sustainable framework to promoters needs to be included in
proposal development; for example, by providing them with monthly stipend to
support their welfare especially in the initial phases of project, then allow them to take
over once the demand for their services increases.
• Training on biogas construction should be longer, with artisans being taken through
all aspects including trouble shooting and maintenance of the systems. In addition, a
similar program, to train artisans to fabricate incubators, construct poultry houses,
greenhouses or install solar systems in Machakos would have enhanced sustainability.
• A project of this nature requires longer implementation period to ensure enough time
for various activities as well as realisation of results. If possible, adjustments ought to
be made to make up for time lost inadvertently, like due to elections (as it was in 2017)
or pandemics
xiv | P a g e
Recommendations to Beneficiary Groups (FCS)
• There is need for continuous skills upgrade to promoters and local artisans so that they
can continue to support farmers with wider and emerging skills and technologies
• The experiences of Mwatati on transformation of VSLAs to SACCO needed to be shared
with other VSLAs to ensure more sustainability in the VSLAs
• Arrangements should be put in place for FCSs to support in procurement materials for
biogas construction and repairs through acquisition and transportation; this would not
only lower the cost and allow timely repairs, but also improve sustainability by
enhancing ownership.
• Projects should target sustainability at the micro (household) rather than macro
(society) level especially for ownership of the activities
• There is need to scale out trainings on financial literacy that were undertaken to few
but was rated as useful, with such training impacts being felt through the VSLAs
• The efforts of promoters can be expanded by factories expanding internship
opportunities for agricultural graduates who can also support promoters’ efforts.
Summary of activities planned and achievement
Initial planned activities Achievement
Output 1
Improved institutional and management capacity and are capable of making decisions and managing climate change and associated risks
Conduct 9 SCOPE assessments 9 done initially, 6 done for post evaluation
Curriculum development, based on assessment reflection
Fully achieved
Training on financial management and premium use.
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS
Development of internal control systems- policy and procedures, clear governance and succession structures Fully achieved in the 6 FCS
Training on Leadership & Governance Fully achieved in the 6 FCS -8 trainings on management, 74 participants
Facilitate improved access to affordable financial services
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS -39 VSLAs with 1170 members
Training on social policies- gender inclusion, child protection.
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS
Carry out gender analysis to identify barriers to female participation in POS
Fully achieved- 1 report done
Participatory development of social policies
Fully achieved
Lobbying county and national government on funding of adaptation strategies
Fully done- in Machakos
Fairtrade Systemwide Learning Fully achieved
Communication through SMS pilot Fully achieved- Piloted in Machakos
xv | P a g e
Output 2
Improved farmer’s resilience to climate change through sustainable agricultural land management practices and Disaster
Risk Management
Carry out climate change awareness and sensitisation training at PO and Union level
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS-9 sensitizations done on climate change
Carry out Risk and Opportunity Assessments at SPO level. ROA will generate SLAM menu specific to each PO Fully achieved in the 6 FCS
Develop Farmer Field School Curriculum that will include promotion and training in identified SALM practices Fully achieved in the 6 FCS
Identify and train Promoter Farmers (TOT)
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS-180 promoter farmers identified and trained
Promote adaptation of identified SALM practices including organic farming & agroforestry
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS-24 demo plots established in the 6 FCSs. 30,000 seedlings distributed to 3200 farmers
Promote coffee shading including establishment of shade tree nurseries & distribution of seedlings.
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS- 30,000 seedlings distributed to 3200 farmers
Establishment of demonstration plots Demo plots in 5 FCS and MCU-24 demonstration plots established
Support SPOs in development of Disaster Risk Response and Management Plans
Fully achieved in the 6 FCS
Output 3
Increased opportunities for Machakos Union, selected primary societies and women members to promote an energy
switch to renewable energy
Machakos union and affiliate societies supported to manage the coffee husk waste by making briquettes for sale.
Not done. Instead switched to support Machakos union and affiliate societies to value-add coffee for local and export market by roasting and packaging the roast coffee. 10kg roaster acquired and installed
Promote use of solar energy at PO level Solar systems Installed at 6 at FCSs, 5 at household level
Promote use of energy saving cooking stoves among women farmers
300 units installed at household level
5 days hands-on training of 10 artisans per cooperative as ToTs.
Fully achieved in Kapkiyai and Kabng’etuny- 34 artisans (8 females, 26 male) trained
Set up demonstration units in every FC Fully achieved in the 6 FCS- demo units setup in 6 FCS
Promote use of biogas among women farmers in Kapkiyai and Kabgetuny
205 (80 Kabngetuny, 125 kapkiyai) biogas units out of targeted 280 units constructed
Construction training materials Fully achieved
Quality Management paid t BCE Fully achieved
Materials and labour for biogas construction
Materials for 205 biogas units out of targeted 280 units acquired
xvi | P a g e
Output 4
Increased opportunities for households of smallholder coffee farmers to diversify and engage in alternative income
generating activities
Training on farming as a family business Fully achieved- 750 farmers, 45 youth and 86 management board members trained on farming as a family business
Selection and analysis of alternative income generating activities at farmer level
Fully achieved -fish ponds, tissue culture bananas, poultry, avocados and macadamia, apiculture selected as IGAs
Facilitate training of individual farmers on financial literacy and in Village Savings & loans
Fully achieved-39 VSLAs with total of 1170 members in the 6 targeted SPOs formed and members trained
Establishment of greenhouses and drip irrigation systems at PO level
Installed at 5 FCS and MCU
Training on selected AIGAs Fully achieved
Training on marketing and access to markets of AIGAs
Fully achieved
Monitoring & Evaluation & upscaling
Monitoring Evaluation & Learning Manager
Fully achieved
Development of Academy Guide, including meetings, communication, field visits etc.
Fully achieved
Project Audit Fee To be done
External baseline and end of project evaluation Being done under this evaluation
xvii | P a g e
About the Report
This Draft Report provides the results of an end term evaluation of the Coffee Farmers in Dire
Straits (Climate Academy) Project implemented Fairtrade Africa and partners in Machakos,
Nandi and Kericho counties, Kenya. The report has been prepared by Noble Consultants
Company limited as per the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment.
This report presents a detailed analysis of the results of the assignment. It presents objectives
of the assignment, a synopsis of the methodology adopted and key findings. The report is
organised into seven sections arranged to ensure a logical flow of information; Chapter 1:
offers a background and objectives to the assignment; Chapter 2: presents an overview of the
global coffee value chain as well as an up to date information of the Kenyan coffee sector. In
addition, the details of coffee production in the three counties where the project was
implemented, as well as the role of Fairtrade Africa in coffee industry are highlighted;
Chapter 3: in this section, the methodology and the overall approach to the assignment in
particular is presented; Chapter 4: the major findings of the study are presented following
the DAC criteria in addition to case studies and lessons learnt from the project; Chapter 5:
presents key conclusions and recommendations drawn from the study; Chapter 6: presents
some of the reference materials used to develop this report; and Chapter 7: comprises of the
appendices to the report.
1 | P a g e
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background and Rationale
Fairtrade Africa (FTA) is an umbrella organization representing Fairtrade certified producers in
Africa and the Middle East. Fairtrade Africa is a member of Fairtrade International, the umbrella
organization for Fairtrade worldwide. FTA works within the Fairtrade system to support over 1.1
million farmers and workers in over 500 producer organizations spread in 33 countries. The
support to producers is aimed at enabling them to maintain their Fairtrade certification which
enables them to access better prices, decent working conditions and fairer terms of trade.
Fairtrade Africa interventions are guided by the Fairtrade Theory of Change (ToC), a generic
theory which visually expresses how Fairtrade´s interventions ultimately contribute to the
desired change that is aligned with the three Fairtrade Goals: Make Trade Fair, Improving
Sustainable Livelihoods and Empowerment of workers.
The Coffee farmers in dire straits project aimed to increase the climate change resilience of coffee
farmers organized in 8 Kenyan Smallholder Producer Organizations (SPOs) through training and
subsequent application of insights, skills and techniques designed to better adapt to climate
change.
Noble Consultants Company Limited was contracted to undertake the end term evaluation for
phase 1 of Coffee Farmers in Dire Straits Project following a positive consideration of their
proposal as per the Terms of Teference (appendix 1).
1.1.1 Purpose, Objectives and Scope of the Assignment
The overall objective of the evaluation was to provide an opportunity for the partners to review
the performance and achievement following the implementation of the first phase of the Coffee
Farmers in Dire Straits Project. This process is expected to inform FTA decision making,
improve the design and guide implementation of related projects in the future. The evaluation
was guided by the Fairtrade Theory of Change, the project Monitoring, Evaluation and
Learning (MEL) framework and followed the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) evaluation criteria. Specifically, the overall purpose of this exercise was
to:
1. Assess the relevance and effectiveness of the project and determine the project
contribution to the Fairtrade Theory of Change.
2. Review the efficiency in the implementation of the project including but not limited to
the implementation approaches adopted.
3. Identify the impact of the project and any sustainability measures put in place.
4. Identify lessons learnt and propose recommendations from the project
implementation.
1.1.2 Scope and Deliverables of the Assignment
The two main aspects of the assignment were desk review and fieldwork. The Coffee Farmers
in Dire Straits project had been implemented in Republic of Kenya in the counties of Machakos,
Kericho and Nandi. A total of eight (8) coffee producer Organizations were involved of which
six (6) were in Machakos county located in the Eastern part of the country, one (1) each in
Nandi and Kericho Counties located in the Rift Valley region. As listed in the TOR, the
deliverables for this assignment were two reports (inception and final), project key summary
findings (fact sheet) a power point presentation and submission of any relevant
material/information related to the assignment.
2 | P a g e
1.2 About Climate Academy Project (CAP)
1.2.1 Overview of CAP
The project came out of realisation that coffee farmers are affected by the climate change. This
saw the development of a project to address this concern. “Climate change is threatening the
existence of coffee and coffee farmers. We can’t solve this problem in a day, but we would like
to work together with you to use the Climate Academy to make farmers more resilient and
consumers more aware by means of Scarce Coffee” (Reinier van den Berg). The concept was
refined with input and agreement among We Effect, Machakos Cooperative Union (MCU),
FTA and Max Havelaar. The Climate Academy Project was developed to increase the climate
change resilience of coffee farmers organized in selected FCSs through training and
subsequent application of insights, skills and techniques designed to better adapt to climate
change.
1.2.2 CAP Partners
The project was implemented through either FTA or We Effect and through MCU in Machakos
and directly to the two cooperatives in Nandi and Kericho. We Effect through the Programmes
Officer, oversaw the implementation of the project and particularly on outcomes 2 and 4The
day-to-day activities were carried out by the project Officer designate from MCU.
We Effect is an international development cooperation organization founded in 1958 by the
Swedish cooperative movement. It works in 25 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America,
Southern and East Africa. We Effect operates within two main thematic fields, namely
Sustainable Rural development and Adequate Housing. In addition, Environment and Climate
change, Gender equality and Financial Inclusion are the mainstreaming themes implemented
alongside each of the two main thematic areas. In East Africa, We Effect operates in Kenya,
Uganda and Tanzania and supports 37 partner projects involved in various value chains
including coffee, dairy, timber, cotton and housing.
Machakos Cooperative Union (MCU) is affiliated to 35 primary coffee cooperative Societies,
45 other forms of cooperative Societies and 26 producer groups. MCU focuses on improving
the livelihoods of the farmers, producers, employees and customers through provision of
support in production, processing and marketing of high-quality products. The Union is
Fairtrade certified together with 25 coffee cooperatives. Directly it supports the livelihoods of
over 60,000 farmers and their households in Machakos and Makueni Counties who are
engaged in coffee farming.
1.2.3 CAP Activities
The following were the planned and implemented CAP activities;
i) Strengthen the capacity of the farmer organizations
The project was geared to have the coffee FCSs improve their institutional and management
capacity to enable them to make decisions and take action to more effectively tackle climate
change. This was done through various trainings such as on financial management and
premium, leadership and governance, social policies and gender inclusion. The FCSs were also
to be involved in training modules development, organizational capacity assessment, gender
analysis and development of internal control systems (ICS)- policy and procedures, clear
governance and succession structures. This included 8 trainings on key management
3 | P a g e
concepts, (like roles and responsibilities of board members, financial management, role of
gender, etc) offered to 74 participants who were members of management boards of the FCSs.
ii) Make agriculture more climate resilient
This was geared to improved farmer’s resilience to climate change through sustainable
agricultural land management practices and Disaster Risk Management. Activities included;
conducting 9 climate change awareness and sensitization training at PO and union level and
sensitizing farmers on the same, training of 180 promoters (trainers) and subsequent training
of farmers through the promoter, promote adoption of identified SALM practices including
organic farming, agroforestry and use of shade trees through the FCSs demo sites and
promoter farmers trainings; and linking SPOs to Meteorological Department institutions and
county DRM committees to assist in developing Disaster Risk Response. 7 sensitization and
awareness sessions were conducted targeting 6 FCS. The sensitization sessions focused causes
of climate change, effects and impact and was supported through use of farmers a Trainee of
Trainers approach was used. To promote widespread adoption of SALM activities, 24
demonstration plots were established in 6 FCS. Also, a total of 10 tree and coffee shade tree
nurseries were established. This translated to 30,000 shade tree seedlings being distributed
to 3,200 farmers in the 6 SPOs.
iii) Offer new opportunities to switch to sustainable energy
This was geared to increased opportunities for Machakos Union, selected primary societies
and women members to promote an energy switch to renewable energy. It involved promoting
adoption of solar energy, promoting use of energy efficient cook stoves among women farmers
in Machakos, use of biogas among women farmers in Kapkiyai and Kabng’etuny, and training
of youth and women on energy efficient stove making and biogas digester construction. The
activities involved training of youth artisans on biogas construction (masons) and
construction of biogas to farmers. It also involved construction of cookstove to households in
Machakos. 80 biogas units were established in Kabngetuny and 135 in Kapkiyai; also 11 solar
demonstration units were installed (4 at FCSs and 5 at select households) in Machakos, while
300 improved cook stoves have been installed in Machakos at household level. A total of 34
masons (8 females and 26 males) were trained to support bi0gas construction and
maintenance.
iv) Develop new income-generating activities
The activity sought to increase opportunities for households of smallholder coffee farmers to
diversify and engage in alternative income generating activities. It involved first a study to
identify the opportunities and promotion through training on alternative IGAs. The FCSs were
supported with incubators (one for each FCS), and 10 nurseries for seedlings to act as shade
trees and also provide an alternative income, including avocados and macadamia trees), 40
tissues culture bananas seedlings per FCS, one greenhouses complete with a drip irrigation
system per FCS, that were to be used as demonstration and also support farmers. Farmers
were also trained on farming as a family business and on marketing. This activity saw 750
farmers, 45 youths and 86 management board members trained on farming as a busines. In
Machakos, 39 VSLA groups with a total of 1,170 members in 6 SPOs were formed with a
portfolio of USD 160,000. Other activities involved training and financial support that
resulted to establishment of a number of enterprises; 6 fish ponds; one apiary was set up in
each of the FCS in Machakos; 6 incubators with a capacity of 580 eggs; tissue culture bananas
farms in the 6 FCS; and 5 greenhouses and drip systems in the FCS. A 10kg/hr roaster was
4 | P a g e
also established at MCU (as a result of project plan adjustment- from outcome 3 to 4) as well
as establishment and support of 6 fish ponds (each with a capacity to produce 200 mature
tilapia) at Mwatati FCS.
v) Develop a Climate Academy Guide and short message texting platform
This activity involved putting together the learning from CAP phase 1 and developing a Climate
Academy Guide that will be used in other unions within East and Central Africa. The guide has
8 chapters written in easy-to read language complete with pictorials. Through monitoring
evaluation and upscale, best practices in climate change adaptation and mitigation were
documented adopting a farmer centric approach; it includes topics such as climate change,
soil and water conservation, coffee tree management, agro-forestry, waste management and
Farmer planning for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Related to this was installation
of a short message texting platform to share information with farmers. This system has been
very effective especially in relaying messages to farmers-for instance, MCU used the system to
communicate to the participating FCSs of the dates of this end term evaluation as well as
requirements and measures to be put in place to ensure the activity was successful. This
included arrangement to ensure compliance with the government guidelines on COVID-19. It
has also been used to call for general members meetings among others.
5 | P a g e
2 A LOOK AT THE COFFEE INDUSTRY
2.1 The Global Outlook
Globally, coffee continues to be among the most important agricultural commodities. Both
production and consumption appear to have stabilised at slightly above 650 million bags over
the past 4 years (2015-2018). According to the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), global
coffee production grew by 7.0% between 2017 and 2018. Consumption remained steady with
a marginal growth of 2.1% between 2016/2017 and 2019/2020 coffee year. The European
Union, USA, Japan, the Russian Federation and Canada remain the leading importing
countries, accounting for over 76% of total coffee imported during the 2019/2020 production
year. With this growth in consumption, it is important for Kenya, whose coffee production is
in demand worldwide to develop strategies to increase both quantity and quality. Such
strategies may include smallholder farmers switching from “subsistence” to “entrepreneurial”
coffee farming, government interventions, adoption of sustainable production systems as well
as value addition and marketing targeted for the global specialty coffee markets. However,
more need to be done especially at the domestic market to increase local consumption of
coffee. Marginal growth in consumption has been noted among the middle class in urban
towns where coffee shops have been set up. This trend should be increased by growing
consumption at the household level even in rural environments. Moreover, the government
should consider strategies to make Kenya a leading exporter of quality coffee, thereby earning
the country the much needed foreign exchange. Such strategies should include efforts to lower
the cost of production, boost production and productivity at the farm level, as well as improve
quality of the final product.
2.1.1 Climate Change and Coffee
Many scholars have noted that the global climate has been changing over the years, with key
changes noted in temperature and rainfall quantities and patterns. Coffee as an agricultural
crop traded internationally, is grown in open field conditions in most countries under rainfed
system, therefore changes in the environmental factors is likely to affect production and
quality. Temperature and rainfall have been reported to affect crop phenology, and
consequently productivity and quality (Haggar and Schepp, 2012; Initiative for coffee and
climate, 2015). However, others have predicted impacts to be both positive and negative on
production. For instance, while drought has been reported to result in reduced yields and
growth in distribution of pests and diseases in major global coffee producing countries, an
increase in production is predicted for niche high altitude areas; also predicted is an increase
in pollination and the potential benefits of elevated carbon concentration (Pham et al., 2019).
Irrigation is likely to mitigate effects of drought, but increase in temperature beyond 240C is
likely to affect quality and quantity negatively (Haggar and Shepp, 2012). Other changes like
in the altitude suitable for coffee production may have socio-economic impacts on farmers
(Haggar and Schepp, 2012). In Kenya, coffee production has been shifting from some
“traditional” zones, like some parts of Machakos, to new regions, like the highlands west of the
rift valley, due to challenges attributed to climate change. Various climate change mitigation
and adaptation strategies (including adoption of sustainable land management practices, use
of improved certified seedlings, use of scientific data to plan for various activities, like weather
data to guide the application of sprays and fertilisers) have been proposed and smallholder
farmers need to be empowered to implement them.
6 | P a g e
2.2 Coffee Value Chain in Kenya
2.2.1 Production
Kenya predominantly grows the Arabica variety, which is processed using the wet method. The
initial varieties are SL28, SL34, K7, Blue Mountain, Ruiru-11 and Batian. The crop is mainly
grown as a cash crop in medium altitude zones (1,400 and 2,000 m) of central, eastern,
western and some parts of coast region as shown in figure 2.1. The high production zone being
the triangle formed by Mt. Kenya, the Aberdare Ranges and Machakos Town – essentially the
former Central and Eastern Provinces which account for about 70% of Kenya’s coffee
production. Production has fallen over the years from a high of 130,000 metric tonnes in the
1990’s to the current average of 40,000 metric tonnes (Taskforce, 2016). However, this is
expected to change in the near future as new growing areas are being established, especially
in the Rift Valley region while irrigation may boost production in the traditional coffee areas
in the low altitude zones.
Coffee in Kenya is produced by close to 800,000 smallholders (organized in 550 cooperatives
societies) and 4000 plantation growers (KALRO, 2019). There are two harvesting seasons
namely: October until December (main crop) and May-June (light crop). Production has been
fairly stable over the last five years with a slight increase in 2018/2019 (Table 2.1) attributed
to good weather and initiatives by both national and county governments. After production,
the red ripe cherry is selectively harvested and taken to a wet mill where the pulp is removed.
The parchment is then cleaned, graded and dried in the sun on raised beds before being taken
to a dry mill where it is hulled and polished to get the green beans. Kenyan green coffee is
graded into seven classes (AA, AB, PB, C, E, TT and T) before marketing. Marketing of coffee
is either through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange (central auction) or direct window where
dealers sign contracts directly with FCS to purchase their coffee, and is regulated by the
Agricultural and Food Authority (AFFA).
Table 1: Production, Area and Average Yield of Coffee by Type of Grower between 2014 and 2019
Source: Economic Survey (2019)
2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019*
Cooperatives 87.8 88.2 88.8 89.5 90.8
Estates 25.7 25.8 25.9 26.1 25.4
Cooperatives 27.2 30.8 24.5 30.4 30.9
Estates 14.8 15.3 14.2 11 14.1
Cooperatives 319.3 361.1 279 344.4 347.4
Estates 601.6 619.4 525.5 426 543.2
AREA (Ha)'000
PRODUCTION (Tonnes) '000
AVERAGE YIELD (Kg/Ha)
7 | P a g e
2.3 Overview of Coffee production, Socio economic and climate factors
in Machakos, Kericho and Nandi
Generally, coffee is grown in areas with high potential for agriculture: -moderate climate (15-
240C), deep fertile red well drained volcanic soils and good well distributed rainfall. Machakos
county is in the eastern part of Kenya and is classified as an arid and semi-arid area, while
Kericho and Nandi counties are high potential areas in the rift valley.
Machakos county faces a couple of environmental challenges which has affected water levels
in rivers, water pollution by industries upstream, deforestation and climate change (erratic
rainfall, droughts and rise in average temperature). However, the county has put in place
several strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change like awareness creation,
afforestation, enactment of various legislations. Introduction of drought resistant crops and
livestock will enable farmers to adapt to the changing climate. The county has 315 registered
cooperatives cutting across all sectors (production, financial and investment). Coffee and
mangoes are the main cash crops grown on 5000 ha and 6000 ha of land, respectively. Coffee
is currently grown in Kangundo, Machakos and Donyo Sabuk at an altitude from 1400m -1830
m above sea level. Average annual rainfall in the coffee growing areas is 685 mm. Estates and
smallholder coffee farmers have approximately 1,877 and 6526 ha under coffee with a total
combined production of 4246 metric tons. Most of farmers are under the Machakos
Cooperative Union (MCU) which is affiliated to 35 primary coffee cooperative Societies, 45
other forms of cooperative Societies and 26 producer groups. The Union is Fairtrade certified
together with 25 coffee cooperatives. It directly supports the livelihoods of over 60,000
farmers engaged in coffee farming (FTA, 2019).
Nandi and Kericho counties are high potential agriculture areas with good climate and fertile
soils. Tea, dairy, maize, sugarcane and horticulture are main agricultural enterprises. Nandi
has bimodal rainfall pattern with annual average ranging from 1200mm to 2000mm makes it
possible for rainfed agriculture. Although the county has not experienced serious changes in
rainfall as yet, trends point towards increasing climate risks which may affect livelihoods in
future. In Kericho impacts due to climate change such as rising temperature have been noted.
Expansion of farming activities as well as population pressure is a main cause of
environmental degradation. However, both counties have developed strategies to ensure
sustainable development; for instance, the CIDPs of 2018-2022 have given a number of
strategies on mitigation and adaptation to climate change. However, these efforts need be
supported by other stakeholders to ensure wider impacts
In Kericho and Nandi hills, the area under coffee was 557 ha and 2879 ha for estates and
smallholder farmers, respectively, with a total annual production of 1,238 metric tons. The
main varieties grown are Ruiru -11 and Batian and some S 28 & SL 34. Smallholder farmers
are organized in 51 cooperative societies with a total of 12,909 active members (KCTA, 2012).
Kericho and Nandi Hills are promising coffee growing zones and have recorded increased
expansion and investments in the coffee sector in the recent past.
8 | P a g e
3 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design, Approach and Analytical Framework
3.1.1 Overall approach
This study used a consultative and participatory approach to collect relevant qualitative and
quantitative data. Multiple data sources; primary and secondary were used to assess the
performance and achievement of the project.
Overall, the assignment had two key components i.e. assess the performance and achievement
of the project and drawing recommendations and lessons learned.
Figure 1: Key Areas of the Analysis
3.1.2 Research Design and Methodology
The consultants used a mixed method approach, integrating quantitative, qualitative and
observation methods to ensure triangulation of data. Apart from in-depth interviews with key
informants (KI) and management of producer groups & project owners, the Consultants also
administered questionnaires to the project beneficiaries and held Focused Groups Discussions
(FGD) to build consensus on critical aspects of the project. Samples of the tools
(questionnaires, various KI interview guides, and observation checklists) used for data
collection are appended to this report.
The study made use of the Theory of Change (ToC) and the project MEL framework to collect
information on key results of the Climate Academy Project in view of capturing results on
increased resilience to climate change among coffee farmers in the particpating Small Producer
Organizations (SPOs). It made use of all available Climate Academy Project documents, and
interviewed Project team members, farmer (groups), government officers; and conducted
relevant field visits to collect data. The Fairtrade ToC was reconstructed or visualised in line
with the Climate Academy Project as shown below.
Component One: performance and achievement assessmnet
•Primary and seconday data collection•Evaluation project along the DAC criteria and guided byproject and Fairtrade theory of change
Component Two:Drawing recommendations and lessons learned
•Draw lessons from the project•Assess the replicability of the project•Give recomendations on designing and managing such a project
9 | P a g e
Figure 2: Reconstructed Theory of Change (ToC) for the Climate Academy Project
The questions were developed along the various components of the ToC. The questions were
also related with DAC criteria and along the targeted value chain activities. For instance, under
inputs questions assessed the efficiency in inputs uses; while under activities the effectiveness
was assessed and these were related to the outcomes; while under outcomes the intended and
unintended positive and negative impacts were assessed. In line with the OECD/DAC-criteria,
the evaluation determined the level of achievements of the programme in terms of relevance,
effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact. The assessment of impacts was
strengthened through use of other approaches such as attribution, Ritcher scale ratings, assets
and income changes, cost and benefit analysis. From the information collected, case studies,
lessons, best practices as well as cross cutting issues were highlighted. The study findings were
then used to draw conclusions and recommendation to support future programming.
The tools developed for capturing both quantitative and qualitative data included the:
Household questionnaire; FGD checklist; KII checklists that were administered to relevant
government ministries departments, financial institutions, Cooperative managers, partners
and project staff (FTA and We Effect); and IGAs checklist and observation checklist
Sampling Approach and Sample Sizes
The sample size for the smallholder farmers was determined using Feed the Future
programmes recommended formula for beneficiary farmers (Stukel and Friedman G, 2016).
I𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 = 𝑛 =𝑁2×𝑍2×𝑆2
𝑀𝑂𝐸2
where:
N = total number of beneficiary farmers
z = critical value from Normal Probability Distribution
Appropriate External factors: political,
economic, weather etc.
Economic, Political, weather
etc.
Interest &
participation
by farmers
Packages
are
attractive to
farmers
Income sources
diversified & switch
to RE activated
Improved
environment
protection, adaptaion
and Reslience to
Climate change
10 | P a g e
s = standard deviation of the distribution of beneficiary data
MOE = margin of error, a product of target indicator and acceptable percentage error
Consequently, a total of 101 respondents were targeted in the treatment and 50% of these
number (Israel, 1992) was selected for the control. The control was drawn from neighbouring
FCS who were not part of the CA project. Purposive Sampling technique was used to identify
and pick other respondents like county government cooperative and agriculture departments
staff, the chief officer coffee in the county government of Machakos County- who was
established after the project started and the manager T-Tot hotel Machakos (a leading buyer
of chicken) as they were perceived to be relevant to the impact assessment depending on their
roles within the program (See appendix for details).
3.2 Analytical Framework – Data Analysis Approach
Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data to determine areas of commonality
within the responses and correlation with secondary project information and data. Key
intermediate outcome indicators were analyzed using Difference in Difference technique to
assess the differential effect of a treatment on a 'treatment group' versus a 'control/comparison
group’ support by significance test. This method helped to isolate project impact on outcomes.
Descriptive statistics was used to compare, for example, changes in the measures such as
perception on changes due to project.
Information from data collected through SCOPE Insight was arranged along key thematic
areas for analysing the cooperatives and rated using Richter scale to make it quantitative and
easy for further analysis.
11 | P a g e
4 RESULTS
4.1 Brief Overview of the FCSs and Machakos Union (MU)
The identification and selection of the FCS’s to participate in the project was based on a
number of reasons; most importantly being Fairtrade certified. For Kericho and Nandi, the
selected FCS’s were participants of the Growing Women in Coffee Project (GWIC); funded by
Big lottery fund, UK. The project among others which was facilitating farmers support on good
agricultural practices, organization development, asset transfer and the construction of
masonry biogas units targeted at the women coffee farmers. The GWIC project was winding
up by the time the CAP was being initiated thus making the Kapkiyai and Kabng’etuny FCS in
Nandi and Kericho counties respectively, worthy participants. In Machakos, all the 6
participating FCSs were affiliated to Machakos Cooperative Union (MCU), an umbrella
organization for 81 primary organizations (comprising of cooperatives (of which 35 grow are
coffee growers) and women groups are serving over 60,000 individual members) spread
across 15 sub counties in Machakos and Makueni counties. MCU’s mission is to improve the
livelihoods of her members by supporting production, processing and marketing of high-
quality products. Consequently, the specific FCS’s in Machakos were selected based on zones,
sizes, and vulnerability to impacts of climate change, with Kakuyuni and Kitwii being affected
most by later. The table below shows the characteristics of the FCSs selected to participate in
the CA project.
Table 2: Farmers Cooperatives societies, membership and the number of workers
Machakos Nandi Kericho
FCS name New
Mitamboni
Mwatati Musilili Mukuyuni Kitwii Kakuyuni Kapkiyai Kabng’etuny
No. of factories 5 2 1 1 2 5 1 1
No. of
farmers
M 1257
624
1881
686 440
270
710
550
269
819
382
156
538
781
355
1136
289
356
645
988
336
1324
F 343
Total
1029
No of
workers
M 20
12
32
8 4
2
6
6
6
12
2
1
3
6
6
12
6
2
8
9
2
11
F 4
Total 12
Source: Secretary managers, FTA reports (2020)
The membership to the FCS’s was reported to have been going down due to challenges facing
the coffee sectors; and mainly the low prices offered to farmers.
The FCSs render both commercial and technical services to farmers; with farmers rating
marketing and processing; access to productive assets including inputs; cost, benefits and
risks sharing; fair and transparent governance; access to loans; and innovation and technology
transfer as benefits they seek and mostly receive through SPOs and through FTA producer and
relation services support.
12 | P a g e
4.2 Socioeconomic Characteristics of Sampled Farmers in the 3 Counties
4.2.1 General socio-economic characteristics
The average age of the respondents’ family head for the CAP beneficiaries was 61.3 and 52.0
years in Machakos and Kericho/Nandi, respectively. Among the control, the average age for
the family head was 57.2 and 58.2 years in Machakos and Kericho/Nandi, respectively. These
are within the average age of 60 years for Kenyan farmers reported by UNDP (UNDP, 2020).
The ages also relate with baseline survey values where average ages were found to be 58.2 in
Machakos and 47 years respectively, given 3 years have passed since the baseline was done.
This senior age is likely to affect future production since older people may not adopt new
technologies quick enough to overcome emerging challenges like climate change, as well as
general succession of coffee farming, thus interventions to bring youth on board are extremely
necessary.
Literacy levels among project participants were noted to be high with 70.2% and 78.4% of the
beneficiaries and control, respectively, in Machakos having post primary education. For
Kericho/Nandi, the figures for the same were 57.1% and 41.7% among the treatment and
control, respectively. In Kericho and Nandi, 42.9% and 58.3%, respectively, had primary
education compared to Machakos 29.2% and 18.9% for treatment and control, respectively.
The other spouse or the other household decision makers in the family had almost similar
levels of education. The high education level means the farmers targeted had the potential to
receive and understand information passed through CAP training well.
Majority of the farmers in the project areas are either full time or part-time farmers. In
Machakos 81.9% the CAP farmers were full time farmers, while in Kericho and Nandi the full-
time farmers were 81.0%. The proportion relates well with that of control group where 78.4%
and 83.3% of the farmers respectively were full time farmers. The remaining farmers were in
salaried employment or were running own businesses. This implies that majority of the
farmers are ready to dedicate enough time to coffee farming activities thus interventions
through this project to improve their livelihoods through increased production hence incomes
from coffee farming, improved their attitude towards coffee farming, thus better rewards for
their efforts.
Average household size was 5.5 (2.8 male and 2.7 female) and 5.2 (2.7 male and 2.5 female)
members for Machakos treatment and control groups respectively; and 6.9 (3.1 male and 3.8
female) and 8.6 (4.8 male and 3.8 female) for Kericho treatment and control groups
respectively. This is higher than the national household size of 3 as per data from the 2019
census by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The average household size as per
KNBS 92019) is 4 for the three counties.
The household characteristics were therefore comparable for the treatment and the control
group in the two areas; this strengthening the comparability of the two group. The composition
of the household influences coffee production as some roles such as harvesting are done by
females while spraying is done by males. Consequently, households with few females or male
members rely on hired labour to undertake some specific activities.
4.2.2 Coffee production
The coffee farmers involved in the project are small holders with average farm sizes 2.3 acres
(range of 0.5 to 7 acres) in Machakos, and 3.3 acres (range from 1.5 to 12 acres) in Kericho and
Nandi counties (Table 3). Inheritance was the dominant mode of acquiring land as reported
13 | P a g e
by 78.0% and 95.2% of the respondents in Machakos and Kericho, respectively. A few others
(12.5% in Machakos and 52.3% in Kericho/Nandi) had rented or purchased part or whole
farm. The land sizes compare well with baseline survey figure, where average land sizes were
an average of 2.4 and 2.8 acres in Machakos and Kericho respectively. Since inheritance was
the predominant mode of land acquisition, the land sizes are expected to shrink further as
household heads always subdivide their land to their sons, in most rural areas. This is likely to
affect coffee production as the farms will become too small hence economically unviable to
undertake coffee farming as a business. Therefore, it is important for stakeholders to develop
strategies to overcome this emerging issue if coffee has to remain a key commercial crop for
the counties and national economy.
Table 3: Land size, area under coffee, number of trees and years growing coffee
Item Machakos-treatment
Machakos-control
Nandi and Kericho-treatment
Nandi and Kericho-treatment
Average land size (acres) 2.3 1.9 3.3 2.9
Acreage under coffee
(acres)
0.89 0.94 1.72 0.54
Average no. of coffee trees 386 359 1097 279
Average years of growing
coffee
30.3 29.2 19.6 18.6
In Machakos the farmers mainly grow SL28 (94.4%) with some few (13.3%) having adopted
new varieties; mainly K7, Ruiru 11 and Batian. In Kericho most farmers had mixed varieties
with Ruiru 11 being the most dominant (66.7%) followed by Batian 52.3%) and SL28 (19.0%).
Coffee is fairly young in Kericho compared to Machakos, having being introduced much later
thus most farmers had adopted the new varieties.
Majority of farmers grow coffee under rainfed, with only 1.4% and 9.5% irrigating their coffee
farms. The farmers are embracing good coffee production practices, like the use of organic
fertilisers, soil conservation practices and timely control of diseases resulting in better quality
cherry, with only average of 3.3% of coffee and 2.7% of coffee being rejected at factory in
Machakos and Kericho respectively, and with the rejects mainly used as Mbuni. The small
proportion of rejected cherry may be attributed to the success of the promoter farmers efforts
who visit members and train them on various aspects including harvesting and postharvest
handling of cherry. On average the coffee production declined in 2019 from the 2018 levels
(figure 4) due to the little rainfall in the three areas, this affected the potential gains that would
have been realised through the CAP project. However, production data for New Mitaaboni for
the year 2018 was not easily available-this was attributed to challenges related to management
of records probably due to issues related to governance-however, the availability of the same
for the year 2019 is an indicator that the trainings undertaken by the CA project is having
positive impact.
14 | P a g e
Figure 3: Production in the six FCS in Machakos during the project period
4.3 Findings along key thematic areas and DAC criteria
4.3.1 Relevance
Relevance to County and Country
Broadly the project was geared to increasing the climate change resilience of coffee farmers
organized in Small Producer Organizations. In all the three Counties covered by the project
there is reported evidence that smallholder farmers are experiencing increased climate
variability and climatic change and environmental degradation. In Kericho the County is
concerned about the effects of climate change with indication that the effects have particularly
become frequent and more severe over the past two decades presenting huge additional
burden towards sustainable development of the county. The 2018-2022 CIDP cites over
reliance on wood fuel one of the major contributors of environmental degradation which
deplete the forest cover; with the report indicating that majority of the residents, 80 percent
rely on wood fuel for cooking while 14.4 percent use charcoal.
In Nandi, the threat is also recognized, and the County through 2018-2022 CIDP report notes
that wood fuel forms the main source of energy with over 90 per cent of the population (urban
and rural) depending on it. The use of firewood and other related human activities leading to
deforestation have become a major environmental threat.
In Machakos, data from the Global Forest Watch indicates that deforestation like through for
example high use of firewood has led to great reduction of trees cover from 7853 ha in the year
2000 to 6497 ha in 2018 (representing a 17% reduction) (Mongabay, 2020) which has
negatively affected attraction of rain. The CDIP 2018-2022 report notes of the effects brought
about by climate change; prolonged periods of drought, erratic rainfalls and rise in average
temperatures have led to low agricultural production across the County.
In all the three counties, the governments have put in place several strategies towards
mitigation and adaptation to climate change, which include both policies and programmes.
For instance, Machakos county government has been advocating for tree planting while the
CIDPs for Nandi and Kericho county governments mention provision of improved coffee
seedlings, all of which are in line with the CA project. The desires of the counties are to have
305,565 341,672
120,000
567,000
196,093101,305
345,298
32,120
300,000
800,000
149,347
Kakuyuni FC Mwatati FCS Kitwii FCS MukuyuniFCS
NewMitaaboni
FCS
Musilili FCS
Pro
du
ctio
n k
g
2018 2019
15 | P a g e
more of these to address the problem of climate change, with any extra projects and support
from other stakeholders being desirable; hence the relevance of this project to the counties.
Relevance to coffee farming
Of major concern in the three counties project areas is effect of climate change on coffee
production. According to Nelson et. al. (2010) and Initiative for Coffee and Climate Change
(2015); climate change is already affecting coffee production. This is because of the nature of
coffee; as a woody perennial specie, the crop, has a lower photosynthetic rate than most annual
crops and this has implications for their ability to respond to changing climatic conditions.
Thus, the promotion of the use of shade trees as one of the interventions of the CA project, as
well as the provision of seedlings to farmers is very relevant to the current situation. Apart
from providing shade to the coffee, these trees have other benefits including improved
biodiversity, improved microclimate as well as financial benefits like income from sale of fruits
or timber and food & nutrition security as fruits are key in provision of nutrients. The authors
note that in many coffee-growing regions a combination of lower rainfall and higher
temperatures will render production unsustainable by 2050, at lower elevations where the
crop is currently cultivated. Introduction of irrigation as well as use of improved coffee
varieties and use of weather data in planning farming activities like spraying are timely and
will slow or completely stop decrease in production as a result of changing climate. The CA
project interventions like the use of shade trees are not only mitigating the negative effects
associated to climate change but will also improve food and nutrition security while at the
same time, provide an alternative source of income to smallholder coffee farmers, upon
maturity of the shade trees.
Relevance to FTA
The project activities relate well with the broad FTA thematic areas, goals and activities as
detailed in figure below:
Table 4: Relevance of the Climate Academy project activities to FTA thematic areas
Fair trade principles and principles CAP Objectives/outcomes Main directly related principles to CAP outcome
Subsidiary related principles
1. Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers
2. Transparency and accountability
3. Fair trading practices
4. Payment of a fair price
5. Ensuring no child labour and forced labour
6. Commitment to non-discrimination, gender equity and freedom of association
7. Ensuring good working conditions
8. Providing capacity building
9. Promoting fair trade
10. Respect for the environment
A. Eight producer organizations have strengthened their communities to better mitigate their risks
2. 8 All
B. Improve farmers resilience to climate change through sustainable agricultural land management
10, 1, 8 3, 9
C. Increase opportunities for Machakos Union, selected primary societies and women members to promote an energy switch to renewable energy
10, 6, 8 1, 7, 9,
D. Increase opportunities for HH of smallholder coffee farmers to diversify and engage in alternative income generating activities
1, 8 6, 7, 9, 10
16 | P a g e
The activities of the CAP project were also directly or directly related to the FTA intended
impacts as visualized in the ToC. The impacts as from ToC include improved income, wellbeing
and resilience among small producer and worker households, that directly link with outcome
4 of the project, but was also in other outcomes; enhanced gender equality and
intergenerational sustainability in rural communities which related well with outcome 3, but
also was in other outcomes; Increased environmental sustainability and resilience to climate
change, that related directly with outcomes 2 and 3; Dignity and voice for small producers and
workers at local, national and global levels, that was more embedded in outcome 1 and 4;
Transparency and equitable distribution of risks and rewards in supply chains, that was in all
outcomes; and Fairness and sustainability embedded in business practices, policy and societal
norms for production and consumption, which was also in all outcomes.
Relevance to beneficiaries
The coffee farmers involved in the project are small holders with farm sizes of 2.3 acres in
Machakos and 3.3 acres in Kericho. These farmers had challenges that were being addressed
by the project. The project addressed challenges identified in the baseline survey and during
project development (see case study Leah Nyambura of Kapkiyai FCS in the next chapter).
These included low adoption of sustainable energy practices; high cost of energy; lack of
alternative income sources; low productivity -reducing coffee harvest and the quality of the
beans due to climate change; limited access to appropriate shade tree seedlings and also
limited use of shade trees.
The issues addressed by the project were found to be relevant up to the end, with beneficiaries
indicating some of the challenges still remained unresolved; for instance, by the time of the
evaluation, coffee farmers in Machakos were yet to reap full benefits of shade trees as this
intervention requires time for the trees to reach maturity, or to grow the VSLAs in Mukuyuni
and Musilili FCSs to sustainable SACCOS require longer duration. This is attributed to the
high magnitude of the challenges that could not be fully addressed through the project.
Moreover, the short implementation period of the project made it impossible to realize fully
the desirable impacts. The project implementation time was short for the benefits of some of
the interventions to be fully realised thus in future, it is recommended to consider matching
project lifetime to interventions in order to allow at least the realisation of the beneficial
impacts before exit.
4.3.2 Effectiveness and Impact
The CAP activities contribution to delivery of output and achievement of project objectives
were analysed along each objective, and positive and negative impacts (and intended and
unintended changes) to farmers and broader sector are discussed below.
i. Changes in the socio-economic situation of farmers and their households
Coffee was found to have changed as the main source of income in Machakos; with it being
first (by 59.1% of the respondents) and second (25.8% of the respondents) main source of
income in 2017. In 2019, the last year of the project, 40.9% and 31.8% of the respondents
reported coffee as the first and second source of income, respectively. The situation was not
different in control given that it was a first and second source to 33.3% and 51.3% in 2017 and
30.05 and 37.3%, respectively, in 2019. The effect of poor rainfall affected all FCSs. The shift
17 | P a g e
was to other sources of incomes such as livestock, employment and other crops. The trainings
on alternative sources of incomes such as poultry, tissue culture bananas, avocado, macadamia
seemed to have caused a slight change to the beneficiaries with those who had started
alternative incomes in Machakos being 16.7% compared to 15.1% of control group. However,
some of the IGAs like avocado and macadamia farming, require time to fully benefit the
farmers, hence the small difference. Thus, in planning future projects, the consultant
recommends matching the project lifetime to the duration required for the maturity of most
of the key interventions.
The households in Machakos distributed their incomes among various expenditure with food
taking 37.3%, education (24.5%), personal items (12.7%), savings (12,4%) and health (12.0%),
with others expenditure taking the rest. On average most of the respondents had received
some improvement in ability of farmers to finance their basic needs. Almost half of the
respondents (46.5%) reported improved ability to finance food. On average the economic
status and quality of live were seen to have changes as shown in figure 5 below.
Figure 4: Economic status and quality of life measures before, during and after the project
The low prices of coffee seemed to have affected farmers in Machakos more, that lowering
their income levels. Based on the last cherry payments of KES 56 and KES 16 per Kg for
farmers in Kapkiyai and Kakuyuni respectively the gross margins have been worked (from
FGDs information) out to be KES 96,000 for Kapkiyai and KES (-38,742) for Machakos. This
is despite average expenditure in Kapkiyai being higher (KES82,200 per acre) than Machakos
(KES 55,642). The low margin for Machakos is coupled by the reported potential number of
trees of 500 per acre compared to 1000 per acre in Kapkiyai. The breakeven prices for Kapkiyai
being KES 24, while for Kakuyuni was KES 65. The lower incomes from coffee in 2018/2019
season seemed to have affected farmer’s view of economic status. In Machakos, more farmers
in the control (57.1%) reported that their economic status was lower now (2019) compared to
the same time three years ago (at the start of the project) (2017) compared to 42.5% in the
treatment. The responses were different in Kericho with 71.4% of the project participants
feeling their economic status was lower compared to 66.7% in the control. There was also a
high proportion that felt quality of life in 2019 was better than 2017. Many were also optimistic
that economic status would improve in three years to come.
There was slightly higher number of respondents in treatment saving their incomes with 76.7%
in Machakos (higher than 72% during baseline survey) and 76.2% in Kericho and Nandi,
50.7
42.5
6.8
31
57.1
11.9
63
30.1
6.8
64.3
28.6
7.1
46.6 43.8
9.6
31
54.8
14.3
Higher Lower Same Higher Lower Same
Treatment Machakos Control Machakos
% o
f re
spo
nd
ents
Economic status 3 years ago Economic status in 3 years
Quality of life 3 years ago
23.8
71.4
4.8
25
66.7
8.3
95.2
4.80
91.7
08.3
47.6 47.6
4.8
41.750
8.3
Higher Lower Same Higher Lower Same
Treatment Kericho-Nandi Treatment Kericho-Nandi
% o
f re
spo
nd
ents
Economic status 3 years ago Economic status in 3 yearsQuality of life 3 years ago
18 | P a g e
compared to 73.8 and 75.0% in control in the two areas, respectively. Majority of respondents
saved in commercial banks. However, in Machakos, where VSLAs were promoted 21.4% in the
treatment group compared to 9.7% in control group saved in the VSLAs. The farmers also
saved through mobile platforms like Mpesa and Mshwari, whereas a few others were in
SACCOs, or kept cash at home.
The VSLAs have helped improve access to credit and help improve agricultural production,
particularly in Kakuyuni this has triggered increased investment in coffee production as
farmers can access credit to purchase farm inputs. The VSLA concept has now been adopted
outside the 6 FCS and about 80% of FCS in Machakos were said to have started their own.
The incomes from coffee dropped in 2019 compared to 2017 (Table 5) mainly because of the
low rainfall. This affected both the control and treatment group. In Kericho, farmers have
been planting more coffee, compared to Machakos where the average number of trees have
slightly reduced; a factor attributed to the low international prices of coffee.
Table 5: Change in income from coffee, coffee productivity, area under coffee and assets
Machakos Kericho
Treatment Control Treatment Control
Income from coffee (KES)
2017 35,239 29,967 95,600 16,990
2019 16,681 21,143 96,758 30,805
Change -18,558 -8,824 1,158 13,815
% change -52.7% -29.4% 1.2% 81.3%
Average area under coffee (acres)
2017 0.90 0.97 1.39 0.53
2019 0.88 0.97 1.71 0.52
Change -0.02 0.00 0.32 -0.01
% change -2.7% -0.4% 23.0% -1.9%
Average number of trees
2017 398.60 373.2 809 268
2019 388.90 366.80 1078.00 255.00
Change -9.70 -6.40 269.00 -13.00
% change -2.4% -1.7% 33.3% -4.9%
Coffee harvested (cherry) (kg)
2017 1328.50 807.4 2621.1 735.6
2019 727.60 735.8 2358 433.00
Change -600.90 -71.60 -263.10 -302.60
% change -45.2% -8.9% -10.0% -41.1%
Productivity per acre (kg/acre)
2017 1472.838 828.9528 1885.683 1387.925
2019 828.7016 758.5567 1378.947 832.6923
Change -644.137 -70.39607 -506.736 -555.232
% change -43.7% -8.5% -26.9% -40.0%
Total value of six selected assets (KES)*
2017 171,988 41,581 30,600 37,062
2019 239,755 52,884 38,250 44,913
Change 67,767 11,303 7,650 7,851
% change 39.4% 27.2% 25.0% 21.2%
*value per household of: electricity connection, draught animals, wheelbarrows, hand hoes, TVs, and mobile
phones
19 | P a g e
There various aspects on change due to project were indicated to have changed either slightly
or highly (Table 6). For example, 44.5% in treatment group and 25.0% in control group in
Machakos indicated that the production per tree or per acre had slightly to highly increased;
with the remaining proportion reporting that the production per tree had remained same or
reduced (annex). Although there was a decline in yield in 2019 due to low rainfall, productivity
per acre was still higher for treatment group than of control group.
The household items estimated from six expenditures (representing various agricultural,
luxury and house development items) on electricity, wheelbarrows, draught animals, hand
hoes, televisions, mobile phones increased for both control and treatment group. The increase
was higher for treatment groups; as reported by 39.4% respondents for treatment group in
Machakos compared to 27.2% for control; and 25.0 and 21.2% for treatment and control,
respectively in Kericho. Expenditure on assets is a better representation of average incomes
over some recent years and reflects a comparative higher change in wealth for the treatment
group, compared to control group.
Table 6: Proportion reporting slight to high changes in some household parameters
Assessed parameter Group % reporting slight to high change in Machakos
% reporting slight to high change in Kericho
Total household income Control 50.0 50.0
Treatment 57.2 95.3
Production per tree or per acre
Control 25.0 -
Treatment 44.5 -
Total production in Kgs of coffee per year
Control 25.0 33.3
Treatment 40.0 95.2
Area under coffee Control 0.0 0.0
Treatment 9.5 38.1
Income from coffee Control 0.0 83.3
Treatment 15.5 95.2
Income through alternative sources
Control 100.0 -
Treatment 84.1 -
Ability to pay for health for family
Control 25.0 16.6
Treatment 54.5 95.3
Food security Control 25.0 33.3
Treatment 63.7 90.4
Cost of energy for cooking
Control 25.0 16.7
Treatment 28.9 19.1
Others Perceived benefits e.g. on health
Control - 16.7
Treatment - 85.7
The beneficiaries associated the changes to project as indicated in figure 6. For example,
90.4% associated the changes they reported (either reduction or increase) in cost of cooking
energy to the project; with the remaining proportion associating the changes to other factors.
20 | P a g e
Figure 5: Percentage of beneficiaries associating (slight to highly) the change in parameters to project
52.547.5
42.017.1
24.960.5
55.860.5
50.0
100
95.238.1
99.9
10095.2
90.490.5
0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0
Total household income
Total production in Kgs of coffee per year
Income from coffee
Abilty to pay for health for family
Cost of energy for cooking
% of respondents
par
ame
ter
Kericho Machakos
Mr Stephen Kilonzo joined the CAP project in 2017 and has benefited from the project through
trainings on IGAs like poultry farming and renewable energy use, among others. He has since setup a
raised vegetable garden (on the right). Through Musilili CAP chicken incubator, he recently took 20
eggs for incubation and was charged Kes 10 per egg; with 18 of the eggs hatching. He has been selling
the chicken at different prices depending on the age; at Kes 350, Kes 600 and Kes 800. For the Kes
800 chicken the breakeven price was 400. Before the CAP training he was hatching the chicks using
the natural process (using mother hen as brooder), a method he said had lower hatching rate, could
only do few eggs at a time, depended on broodness of the hens and also was also not continous for a
given hen. He said that the chicken business, through which he sells about 20 chicken per month, has
enabled him to expand his agribusinesses especially the dairy cows, where he is putting up a modern
zero grazing from which he wants to install a biogas unit; knowledge that he got after sensitization
through CAP project.
Through his wife, he has has used the knowledge acquired through CAP to install an energy saving
cookstove that is used to cook food and also provider heat to the young chicks (on the left).
He hopes to expand his business, now that he has access to incubator at Muslili Farmers Cooperative
Society. He however cited a challenge in accessing good market for the chicken, like where he could
sell more chicken at a time, and hoped this would improve.
21 | P a g e
The study assessed the change in assets between 2017 and 2019 an. The main roofing material
in Machakos and in Nandi and Kericho was mainly iron sheet with only 4.8% in Kericho
treatment and 25% in control group having thatch roof. There was an improvement in use of
iron sheet in Machakos treatment group with 97.5 using iron sheet in 2019 compared to 90%
in 2017. Respondents attributed the source of resources to purchase the iron sheets was coffee
proceeds coupled with income from IGA, especially poultry. The main material for walls in the
three counties was bricks, there was a slight increase in use of quarry stone in Kericho
treatment with 4.8% using quarry stone compared to 0 in 2017. There was no usage of quarry
stones in control group.
The study assessed access to water and energy in the three counties. Majority of farmers relied
on streams and rivers and roof catchment. The usage and access to selected energy option and
sanitation is as indicated in table 7 below.
Table 7: Access to improved energy and sanitation services by households
Machakos Kericho and Nandi
Treatment Control Treatment Control
Improved latrines 60.3 61.9 47.6 25.0
Use of firewood for cooking 81.9 85.9 14.3 91.7
Use of solar for lighting 19.4 26.2 37.3 16.7
Use of electricity for lighting 67.1 59.5 57.1 83.1
There was more usage of firewood in the control compared to treatment groups in the three
counties.
Despite the general increase in prices for items, there was an increase in the number of
household assets purchased during the project period. Most of the assets purchased included
farm tools as well as luxury items; for example, in Machakos, more farmers in the project
reported having purchased a motorcycle (average was 0.08 per household in 2017 compared
to 0.12 in 2019), while ownership of bicycle shrunk by the same margin. Similarly, more
farmers (0.21) in the project were connected to the national grid for electricity compared to
control (0.19). Moreover, more farmers in the treatment (0.19) constructed improved cook
stoves during the project period compared to the control (0.12). The ownership of other
household assets was generally balanced in treatment and control. Adoption of the other
technologies like solar energy systems and greenhouses was slow among individual
households probably due to high initial capital requirement. Thus it would be worthwhile for
FTA to consider interventions which would make these systems more affordable for local
farmers to fully adopt them. Such interventions may include engaging key stakeholders like
county governments to factor them in their plans for instance by supporting local
entrepreneurs or investors to setup production facilities in the counties, or even partnering
with national government to lower taxes payable.
In Kericho and Nandi counties 135 unit were installed in Kapkiyai, while 80 were installed in
Kabng’etuny FCS. the ownership of biogas units had grown to for example 0.95 for
respondents and 34% of Kapkiyai FCS members, while there was no change in the control
group. While farmers interact outside coffee production activities, the increase in ownership
of biogas units could also be attributed to availability of technical resources especially trained
masons as well as the long duration the intervention has been promoted in the area, having
22 | P a g e
being championed by Women in Coffee project, the predecessor of the CAP (through which
220 units were provided) thus higher adoption. Some of the benefits accruing from the switch
from firewood to biogas energy include savings in time required for cooking as well as money
required to purchase firewood (refer to case study by Leah Mwaura) and most importantly,
creation of employment opportunities for the youth (see case study Alice Jeptoo)
The farmers had undergone through various trainings that were geared to improving their
agribusiness skills. Those in treatment group were more compared to the control group; with
61% in treatment group compared to 42.9% in the control reported to have been trained on
farming as a business. This is an increase from the 39% who reported to have been trained in
treatment in Machakos during the baseline survey.
Table 8: Proportion of farmers participating in trainings on agribusiness
Group %
Farming as a business Treatment 61.1
Control 42.9
Record keeping Treatment 68.5
Control 54.8
Financial literacy Treatment 36.1
Control 19
value addition of coffee-roasting and packaging Treatment 11.1
The respondents indicated the trainings were helpful. With 93.2, 93.3, 96, 48.6% of those
trained indicating the trainings were important (rating of 4) to very important (rating of 5).
The farmer indicated to be practicing knowledge learnt with 68.5% in treatment group
compared to 54.8% in control group in Machakos indicating to be practicing record keeping.
The project supported Machakos farmers with a 10kg/hr roasting machine. MCU will be able
to offer slightly better prices to farmer given that a kg of roasted coffee goes for about KES
1000 compared to milled coffee that fetches about KES 30 at times. However, the impact of
the roaster could not be measured yet as it had just been installed-MCU will need to engage in
marketing of the roasted coffee initially within her members and eventually nationally. In
Kenya, many coffee farmers do not consume their product as it is considered a premium export
commodity grown for cash. While this intervention has the potential to improve smallholder
farmers incomes from coffee, the project implementation period was too short to persuade
people to switch from tea (the common beverage) to coffee. Moreover, the authors recommend
a consideration for budgetary allocation to support marketing of the value-added coffee in
future projects of similar nature.
ii. Changes on strengthening of producer organisations
The CAP project had objective of strengthening the FCSs through changes in the organization
development and management and through trainings and support. on a number of select
topics.
Trainings and the effectiveness
The Farmers’ Cooperative Societies were trained and supported through various aspects
including financial management, leadership and governance, by the CAP project. This was to
strengthen the capacity of FCSs in management and also to pass the skills to their members.
The management of FCS were trained on management related aspects such as; leadership and
governance, internal management, social policies, climate change, financial management, risk
23 | P a g e
and opportunity analysis, disaster risk management; and on technical aspects as soil and water
management, post-harvest management, farming as a business among others. An assessment
of some of the trainings and their usefulness show that the trainings were highly rated; with
all assessed trainings receiving an average score of about 4, on a scale 1 to 5, 5 being very useful
and 1 not useful (Figure 7). Trainings covered wide areas; for example in Leadership and
governance, they were trained on the role and responsibilities of board members, managing
conflict of interest, policies and procedural formulation, leadership and productivity,
recruitment practices among others; training on social aspects included such areas as child
protection and gender; in financial management trainings included financial accounts and
practices, Fairtrade premium plan development (FDP), record keeping and reporting,
monitoring and evaluation of the implemented plans.
As a result of the training a number of changes in FCSs were reported; these included- evident
separation of the roles of the board in oversight and operations that allows smooth running of
the POs activities; conducting of FCS meetings/general assembly and deliberations in
participatory manner; development and embracement of succession plans in all FCSs. These
has been supported by having in place internal control system (ICS) that clearly defines the
policies and procedures to be adhered to.
Figure 6: Ratings of the usefulness of the various trainings under the CAP in Machakos
Scope Assessment
FTA undertook an assessment of the six participating FCS in Machakos before and after the
project using a SCOPE tool. The assessment dwelt mainly on analyzing the strengths and
weaknesses of each FCS, for the purposes of self-improvement, capacity building, and
monitoring and evaluation. After the assessment, a report showing the score (between 1 lowest
and 5 highest) for eight business areas namely, internal management (governance and internal
organization), operations (of storage and processing), financial management (e.g. financial
management, record keeping, IGAs), sustainability (e.g. social and environment issues) ,
supply (e.g. procurement, member oversight and training), marketing (covering e.g. risks and
strategies), enablers (e.g. capacity builders, community, government) and external risks (e.g.
awareness, mitigation) is prepared. The average of the score for the eight areas is an indicator
of the level of maturity of the business entity.
4 4
5 5 5
3
5
4
3 3
4
3 3 3
4 4 4
5 5 5 5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Finacialmanagement
Organisationimprovement
Internalmanagement
system
Socialinclusion/Gender
Leadeship andgovernace
Soil and watermanagemnt
Climate Change
Rat
ing
Coffee factory Society
Mwatati Musilili Kakuyuni
24 | P a g e
According to the results of the SCOPE assessment (Figure 8), the six participating FCS in
Machakos scored an overall average score of 3.4 and 3.5 at the start and end of the project.
Figure 7: Overall Scope Basic Assessment score for the six FCS before and after the project
The improvement in the overall score may be attributed to the impact of the Climate Academy
project especially training on governance, which improved their capacity on internal
management (0.5 points) especially on making decisions to cope with external risks (+0.7
points) (Figure 9).
Figure 8: SCOPE Score for different dimensions before and after the climate academy project in Machakos
3.2
3.6
3.1
3.5 3.6 3.63.6 3.7
3.0
3.5 3.6 3.6
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Kakuyuni Mwatati Kitwii Mukuyuni NewMitaaboni
Musilili
SCO
PE
Sco
re
Cooperative Society
2017 2019
3.1 3.1
43.7 3.6
2.9 3.1
4.2
3.6 3.6 3.7 3.7
3.12.8
4.3 4.3
0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.04.55.0
SCO
PE
Sco
re
Dimension
2017 2020
25 | P a g e
The internal management score increased by 0.5 as in figure 9 above. The increase was small
due to the low participation by women; especially the low numbers in management or as
factory employees in New Mitamboni, Kitwii and Mukuyuni. The other factories showed
improvement in this area; more so due to improved participation of women in management.
The sustainability measure improved by 0.5 due to project activities such as improved signage,
diversification, climate mitigation promotion and SALM practices promotion and adoption;
but limited by social pillar where some two factories didn’t improve on youth participation.
Similarly, the score for enablers improved by 0.1 points, while that of external risk improved
by 1.2; which is attributed to among others the impact of the CAP in creating networks with
stakeholders like county government of Machakos leading to the recognition of coffee as an
important crop, awareness in climate change mitigation and adaptation, good relation with
financial institutions, and ready international coffee. The county Government of Machakos
enacted the Machakos County Cooperative Enterprise Development Fund Bill (2019) and
recruited a chief officer for coffee rejuvenation after local leaders saw the work CA project was
doing. The enabler and external risk dimensions score were however slightly lowered by
among others, competition from private coffee buyers and limited extension services.
There was a drop on the financial management (-0.3), supply (-0.5) and marketing (-0.5)
dimension; with negative drivers such as inability to control global coffee prices, limited
marketing capacity of FCSs, high production cost, low staff number (like Kitwii had only one
manager) outweighing the positive aspects such as competent staffs, quality checks
enforcement, good legal system in some factories. The score could also be attributed to
reduced production (Figure 4 in section 4.2) and low coffee prices (Figure 12), which affected
cash flow in the FCSs during the project implementation period, as none of the entities have
reserve funds.
The project implementation period was too short to reap all the associated beneficial impacts
as some interventions e.g. planting trees for shade or alternative income generation take long
to mature.
Farmers perception and affiliation to the FCS
Some selected measures were used to assess the changes in organizational and management
capacity of the FCS from the farmers’ perspective. There was marked difference between the
treatment and control in terms of the treatment cooperative being better in most management
related parameters. For treatment and control respectively, 95.9% compared to 90.5% in
control agreed they deliver more than 90% of the coffee production to FCS, 52.8% compared
to 52.4% trusted the way cooperatives calculated and explained prices, 40.2% compared to
30.9% agreed that cooperative had improved since 2017, and 40.3% and 30.9% agreed the
managers are able to make better decisions since 2017. However, farmers in treatment rated
feel of ownership and pride in belonging to cooperatives lower (59.7%) than control (71.8%).
This is related to aspects such as on limitations in management in some cooperative like New
Mitamboni, which was identified during the SCOPE assessment.
The low prices in 2018 crop seemed to have demoralized some farmers in treatment group
probably due to the higher expectations, as 50% of the treatment group farmers compared to
42.6% of control indicated that if offered a price of more 20% of the FCS price, they would sell
their coffee to such buyer. However, the farmers have not yet started selling the coffee to other
buyers, as only 9.7% compared to 9.5% in control sell coffee outside the cooperatives. The
higher rated services from the cooperative was the commercial one with 50.0% of farmers in
26 | P a g e
treatment group compared to 47.6% in control group expressing satisfaction; with the support
on technical services being rated almost the same at 51.4% and 52.7%, respectively.
The farmers were prompt to point at the services offered by the cooperative, with
proportionate weights of 24.3% for training, 31.4% for marketing, 25,7% for input acquisition
and 15.7% for financial services for treatment group, compared to 17.9, 51.3, 20.3 and 10.3%
for control. The higher rating on trainings and financial support indicates realisation of
support offered through CAP; through training and VSLAs.
iii. Impact on farmers
Within the broad Fairtrade framework is the need to integrate, even if not directly, the decent
working conditions within her projects and interventions. These include health and safety, fair
working conditions, improved management systems to guarantee respect of workers right at
the farm level and incorporate programmes to combat causes of child labour. Though this is a
pillar in the Fairtrade goals, this principle needs to be focused in projects interventions. The
study looked at the issues that relate with this Fairtrade principle.
There was high use of labour (both permanent and casual) by the treatment groups in
Machakos and in Nandi and Kericho as in figure 10.
Figure 9: Use of labour in farm work in Machakos and Kericho
There was also proportionate good employment of permanent labour in many factories; with
in the percentage of permanent workers during peak harvesting period being, New
Mitamboni-33.0% Mwatati- 63.2%, Musilili- 20% Mukuyuni- 33.3%, Kitwii- 18.8%,
Kakuyuni-33.3% Kapkiyai- 34.8% and Kabng’etuny 35.4%. The number of permanent
labourers in these FCSs ranged from 3 to 32 in Machakos, with an average of 12.8; while in
Kericho it ranged between 8 and 11 with an average of 9.5. Most FCS had almost an equal
number of male and female labourers although all watchmen were male. Managers reported
not giving heavy duties to women, especially expectant mothers.
The study didn’t find visible cases of child labour abuse. Signages were posted in most factories
indicating that only persons over 18years old were engaged. On use of child labour, since the
17.8%23.8% 22.2%
66.7%
82.2%76.2% 77.8%
33.3%
Treatment Control Treatment Control
Machakos Kericho
% o
f re
spo
nd
en
ts
Not using hired labour Using hired labour
27 | P a g e
component was not handled by the project as one of the outcomes, majority felt the situation
had not changed and hence many were still not abusing child labour; in Machakos it was
reported by 84.1% that this had not changed since 2017, while 13.1% felt it had reduced, with
only 4.3% feeling it had increased.
Though promoted, use of chemicals was found to be well undertaken, there was little
participation of women in spraying activities; with women participation in chemical
application indicated at 10% in both Machakos area and in Nandi and Kericho. This is
attributed to training provided under the CA project, especially recognition of gender roles in
coffee production as well as adoption of good farming practices due to a better appreciation of
the Fairtrade standard. Women, particularly those who are pregnant, participation in spraying
could also expose them more than men to health risks from the chemicals.
The remuneration to biogas artisans for biogas unit construction was appreciated by the
artisans. The payment of KES 20,000 through the project and KES 15,900 to 18,600 for
privately constructed biogas was reported to be enough.
In Machakos, the artisan of cookstoves and who mainly are women are able to charge 1,500
for every cookstove made for the farmers.
iv. Changes in the local context and national development
This study also assessed whether the CAP had some wider community impact through for
example; empowerment of community; rural-urban migration reduction; improvement in
bargaining power; market access; impact on coffee supply chain; changes in practice by supply
chain actors; prices stability; social conditions; infrastructure; and impact on policies and
regulations.
The VSLAs were reported to have improved social interaction and cohesion amongst the
community, as members met frequently. The meetings are held at the FCS grounds thus
making it easy for members to meet management, get updates on the welfare of their FCS,
among others, unlike previously when members only visited factories to deliver cherry of get
advances. With improved incomes from coffee through SALM and use of biogas slurry, the
returns through premiums would have been more, but this was affected by the poor weather
that affected coffee production in the 2018/2019 crop. Such earnings from premium supports
FCS’s facility development and improvement of road infrastructure within the community.
Given the short time to realize such impact, and given the challenge of low yields during the
recent harvest, the increase in premium due to CAP and subsequent support to community
projects couldn’t be estimated, but the management of the various FCS’s felt that there will be
some improvement.
The use of the coffee roaster installed by CAP
for MCU is expected to increase returns on
coffee, this is expected to improve incomes of
the community through better prices. It was
indicated that the coffee roasting business has
started to create jobs especially for the youth,
with already 3 youths hired to run the facility.
The promotion of IGAs and biogas
construction job has already started creating employment, including to women and
youth, in the rural areas, and would lead to reduced rural-urban migration. The project had
We have installed a 10kg/hr. roaster and
we are targeting youth and women to
work at the plant. One kg of roasted
coffee goes for kes 1,000 compared to
milled coffee that fetches KES 30/kg. Mr James Ndeto, General manager Finance-MCU
28 | P a g e
impact on policies and regulations in Machakos as MCU indicated that the county government
had passed a bill to support coffee after recognizing the efforts of the FCS’s.
Access to credit was promoted in Machakos; the proportion of respondents accessing credit
had improved significantly in the treatment, with those accessing in treatment (23.3%) being
higher than of control (16.7%) by end of 2019; compared to 1.4% and 9.5%, respectively, in
2017 (Figure 11).
The VSLAs promoted by the project were a major source of credit for most farmers in
treatment and control, but was highest in the former at 47.1% compared to the latter (28.6%).
The VSLA have assisted in building beneficiaries saving. The participation in VSLA was higher
than the 34% for treatment during the baseline survey (38% increase). The increase for control
was comparatively lower; as it increased from 22% (30%)
Figure 10: Access to credit among members of the participating FCS in Machakos
The impact through VSLA intervention would have been wider given that only 19.0% of
beneficiaries indicated to have had training on financial literacy in Machakos, with 87.5% of
those trained, rating the training was useful to very useful. There were also many who
indicated that they would have accessed credit, but poor coffee produce (hence reduced
income) in the previous years, due to bad weather, was their main challenge.
23.3%
1.4%
47.1%
16.7%
9.5%
28.6%
Currently have access Was source in 2017 Proportion of those accessingwho get from VSLA
Pro
pp
rtio
n (
%)
Treatment Control
Woni Mulungalu VSLA, Musilili FCS
Our VSLA started in 2017. We have 30 members, 10 of them being youths. To
become a member, one must be a coffee farmer. This helps reducedefaults because
factory helps to recover unpaid amount through members coffee payments. We
were trained on group dynamics, financial literacy among other trainings.
The trainings were done every two weeks, for two months. Each member saves about KES 100 per week
(equivalent to one share, and to a maximum 5 shares per week. We give loan equivalent to maximum of
three times of the value of shares. Loans are payable within a month, at an interest of 10%. We have a
total saving of KES 400,000. Last year we paid each member dividends of KES 20 for each share (20%
of members value of shares). We meet at the factory every Wednesday; this ensures better members’
participation. The meetings have increased cohesion amongst members. We hope to expand our
activities and revenue stream, through for example hatching chickens, if we are able to purchase our
own an incubator, like the one CA project provided to our FCS
29 | P a g e
The beneficiaries had high expectations on the extent of impacts to be accrued from the CA
projects especially at the community level, since Fairtrade is international organisation.
Majority did not appreciate the fact that projects of this nature have limited resources
especially finances and have to be implemented within the stipulated timelines. In addition,
the project was meant to demonstrate to the beneficiaries, for instance, successful technologies
to adopt to mitigate impacts of climate change or generate alternative income. Majority of
those aware about Fairtrade in Machakos felt the benefits could be moderate to high; with a
proportion of 44.7% for marketing linkage; 68.4% for access to productive asset; 63.2% for
cost, benefits and risks sharing; 55.3% for fair and transparent governance of FCSs; 47.4% for
access to services and 57.9% for innovation and technology transfer 57.9%. Most of these
services were supported by the CAP project directly or indirectly in Machakos. Higher
expectation was reported in Kericho with 66.7%, 90.5%, 100.0%, 95.2%, 47.6% and 100.0%
rating respectively, of visualized benefits through FTA being moderate to high.
The change in prices was not positive given the challenges of weather. As in figure 12 prices
dropped in all factories in Machakos between 2018 and 2019 when some benefits would have
probably been realized.
Figure 11: Cherry prices to farmers in the participating in the climate academy project in Machakos in 2017 and 2019
Access to water, sanitation; energy, 105-109
Overall given the project time frame and the time required to realise some benefits and
impacts, FGD participants indicated that there was slight improvement in community (social)
benefits due to the project impacts. For instance, in Machakos extension services, system of
agricultural marketing, use of pesticides, resilience to climate change, environmental
conditions, gender inclusiveness and access to capital and credit were reported to have
improved. Other aspects such as system of inputs supply, access to education, linkages to
private sector and NGOs, rural urban migration, health, affording basic services, were
reported to have remained same or slightly worsened. In Kericho it is only marketing systems,
extension, linkages between private sector and NGOs, ability to access capital that had
remained same or worsened among the other aspects under Machakos. The variation is due to
for example, differences in interventions and varied impacts of weather on coffee production.
43
48
24
54 53
23
45
19
38
2521
Kakuyuni FC Mwatati FCS Kitwii FCS Mukuyuni FCS NewMitaaboni FCS
Musilili FCS
Pri
ce -
KES
/kg
2018 2019
30 | P a g e
On changes in human asset, in Machakos free time for women, women health, access to
information, hired labour working conditions, use of child labour, children health had slightly
improved in both Machakos and Kericho. However, a few other aspects including girl’s and
boys’ education, and men’s free time, had not changed in Machakos, although a slight
improvement was reported in Kericho.
v. Impact on environmental sustainability
The environmental sustainability was implemented through most of the outcomes, but was
more pronounced in outcome 2; improving farmer’s resilience to climate change through
sustainable agricultural land management, and outcome 3; increasing opportunities for
Machakos Union, selected primary societies and women members to promote an energy
switch to renewable energy. There were also activities in outcome 4 such as establishment of
green houses and drip irrigation systems at PO level that supported this thematic area. The
farmers were trained on such aspects as climate change and sustainable agricultural land
management (SALM) practices and supported on various technologies. The FCS’s were also
supported with technologies, like the installation of solar energy systems to power activities in
the office such as lighting, and power for basic office equipment like computers and printers,
which is much better (has a lower carbon foot print) than running a diesel-powered generator
during periods of electricity outage.
Climate change and renewable energy
Almost all respondents in Machakos were aware of climate change for both control (100%)
and treatment groups (97.3%). Over one third of the respondents have been trained on climate
change with 34.7% and 33.3% in treatment and control, respectively. Those trained in
treatment group 68% indicated that the training was very useful, 28% indicated it was useful,
while only 4% indicated it was fairly useful. Up to 96% of those trained reported to be
practicing or implementing the practices on their farms currently. About 34.7% in treatment
group reported to have been trained or sensitized on sustainable and renewable energy; with
44, 28, 20,4 and 4% indicating it was very important, important, fairly important, slightly
important and not important. Of those trained, 50% indicated to be practicing the concept of
sustainable energy. The awareness on climate change had increased from the baseline survey
figure, with those aware on climate change during that time in treatment groups being 73% .
Therefore, it is expected that farmers will adopt the practices demonstrated during the
trainings to mitigate the impacts due to climate change in their activities. Moreover, they
would be in a better position to make a decision on the choosing the most appropriate
intervention to overcome a challenge or issue observed in their coffee farms as they have been
empowered. This will be transferred to farmers in neighbouring regions who may not have
participated in the project thereby having a multiplier effect with the potential to not only
make coffee farming sustainable but also boost production.
Disaster and risk management
The proportion of those trained on disaster risk management in Machakos was 15.3% for the
treatment group compared to 23.8%. Of the project beneficiaries trained 54.5, 27.3, and 18.2%
indicated that the trainings were very important, important, and fairly important, respectively.
SALM practices
The beneficiary farmers in Machakos reported to have undergone various SALM practices with
46.5, 36.1, 48.6, 48.6, 31.9, 41.7, 34.7, 29.2% and 12.5% reported to have been trained on
agroforestry, conservation agriculture, organic farming, pest and diseases management, soil
31 | P a g e
and water conservation, agronomical practices, tree nursery establishment and greenhouse
management, respectively. Majority (76.2-100%, and a mean of 92.1%) indicated to be
implementing the SALM practices trained on. Seven of the trainings were reported by over
90% to be useful (rating of 4) and very useful (rating of 5) on a 1 (not useful) to 5 (very useful)
rating; only organic farming and use of greenhouses were rated by 77.1 to 77.7% as useful and
very useful (annex). The famers practicing agro-forestry, conservation, and organic farming
indicated they were doing these on average land area 0.85 to 1.32 acres for either of the activity
and on lands ranging from 0.1 to 9.5 acres.
The farmers were supported with seedlings for coffee shade trees that were acquired through
the cooperatives. At the time of the evaluation, the project farmers reported to have an average
of 108 trees, compared to control group members who had 41.6 trees. The farmers indicated
that 22.4% of the coffee shade trees in the farms had come through the project. A number of
farmers had established their own tree nurseries, with 38.9 and 31% of the farmers in
treatment and control respectively indicating they had a tree nursery or initiated planted own
seedling. Of the beneficiary farmers, with tree nurseries or planting own seedlings 39.3%
indicated they had done this after 2017 i.e. after attending CAP trainings. Those with tree
nurseries indicated establishing the nurseries for a number of reasons with 39.3% of those in
treatment group indicating that established the nurseries to plant shade trees, while 32.1%
had established the nurseries to sell seedlings. The usage shade trees had improved compared
to baseline where 58.8% had less than 20 shade trees, 27.8% had 21-40% and only 15.4% had
over 40 shade trees on their coffee. At time of baseline, farmers expressed not knowing where
to get seedlings and also the type of varieties to plant in coffee farms.
The farmers indicated they had realised benefits of shade trees such as; improved coffee
production and quality due to reduced coffee drying; the litter from the trees acted as mulch;
the trees acted as wind breaks and prevented coffee trees from breakages. Although farmers
were supported with tissue culture bananas, avocado and macadamia as IGAs, they had
planted some in the coffee farms and this acted as shade trees and also is expected to provide
extra income.
Greenhouses and drip systems were installed in some FCS’s as demonstration units, but
adoption was yet to be noted due to associated high initial costs; with 48.5% and 29.4%
indicating they didn’t have money to put up the greenhouse or drip system, respectively.
The level of knowledge as reported by individual farmers in Machakos had improved. This
increase was more for the treatment group than for control group. As from figure 13, 86.2% of
those in treatment felt they had fair to high knowledge in 2019 compared to 76.5% in 2017.
32 | P a g e
Figure 12: Proportion of respondents reporting that their knowledge was fair to high
Biogas use and management
Upto 95% of the farmers in the treatment group reported to have been trained on biogas use;
compared to 16.7% of control group. Of those trained in the treatment groups, 90% indicated
the trainings were very useful while 10% indicated it was useful (rating of 4). The level of
knowledge, on some selected aspects, reported by individual farmers to have improved, is
captured in figure 14. This increase was more for the treatment group than for control group.
As from figure 14, 90.5% of those in treatment felt they had fair to high knowledge in 2019
compared to 14.3 % in 2017.
Figure 13: Proportion of respondents indicating their level of knowledge was fair to high
There were some few adoptions of biogas units, with one artisan indicating to have constructed
2 biogas units outside the projects (privately customers). There was a saving on the time spent
76.5
57.152.8
43.9
59.154.7
86.2
73.869.5
61
70.5
59.6
Treatment Control Treatment Control Treatment Control
Agroforestry Conservation agriculture Organic farming
% o
f re
spo
nd
ents
2017 2019
14.38.3
19.1
8.314.4
8.314.3
8.3
90.5
25
95.2
25
95.2
16.6
37.8
99.9
Treatment Control Treatment Control Treatment Control Treatment Control
Biogas plantmanagement
Bogas use Biogas slurymanagement
Biogas unitconstruction
2017 2019
33 | P a g e
on gathering firewood and cost savings from use of firewood as indicated in table 9 below. A
kg of firewood was estimated to be between 7.1 and 15 Kenya shillings.
Table 9: Time used to gather firewood in Kericho and Nandi
Treatment -all respondents
Treatment- new biogas users
Control- all respondents
Control- new biogas users
Time in hrs. in 2017 2.4 2.4 2.1 2.5
Time in hrs. in 2019 0.9 0.7 1.8 1.25
Change in hrs. 1.5 1.7 0.3 1.25
% change 62.5% 70.8% 14.3% 50.0%
Amount of wood 2017 (KES) 148.6 137.2 163 258
Amount of wood 2019 (KES) 44.8 45.9 109 108
Change KES 103.8 91.3 54 150
% change 69.9% 66.5% 33.1% 58.1%
The use of biogas was indicated to bring other benefits illustrated in table 10 below
Table 10: Some parameters on the use of biogas as fuel (Kericho)
Biogas related aspects Amount
Hours used for feeding and operating the digester per day 0.9
Cow (plus other) dung used per week, kg 133.58
Maintenance and repair cost per annum for the digester, KES 666.67
Yield of coffee from use of slurry per tree, kg 7.72
Cost of dung per tonne, KES 8633
Yield of coffee from use of normal manure per tree, kg 5.28
Time taken to fetch firewood to use/cook for a day, hrs 2.06
Total hours per day that is used to cook with biogas, hrs 2.86
Value of firewood that would be used for same cooking time used with biogas, KES
97.76
Time taken to cook supper using biogas, hrs 0.93
Time taken to cook supper using firewood, hrs 1.53
Cookstoves
About 30 cookstoves were targeted to be constructed in Machakos, some were being installed
during the time of the end term evaluation survey. It was indicated that the mode of
procurement delayed the installation; the initial plan was to buy ready system, but it was
realised that they had to be fabricated on site. The proportion of respondents using cookstoves
in 2017 and 2019 was 9.7 and 34.7% compared to control group 16.7% in both 2017 and 2019,
showing a remarkable increase among project participants. The respondents who were not
using cookstoves in 2017 indicated that they were using firewood worth KES 85 per day, and
this had dropped to KES 67.1 per day in 2019. The respondents also indicated use of cookstove
had reduced time for gathering firewood and reduced problem of excessive smoke. They
34 | P a g e
respondents who didn’t have the cookstove expressed they were either intending to or did not
have the funds to put up one. The consultants notes that though it will take a while for the full
benefits of this intervention to be fully realised, e.g. better health, increased tree cover, better
family bonds (due to women spending more time at home following savings on time spent
collecting firewood) etc, the project will have made notable positive impacts from the
promotion of the cookstoves.
Table 11: Time used to gather firewood in Machakos
Treatment all respondents
Treatment new cookstove users
Control all respondents
Control new cookstove users
Time in hrs. in 2017 1.324 1.324 1.68 0.875
Time in hrs. in 2019 0.945 1.014 1.5 0.75
Change in hrs. 0.379 0.31 0.18 0.125
% change 28.6% 23.4% 10.7% 14.3%
35 | P a g e
Moreover, 37.5% of the respondents in Machakos reported using ash on their farms to control
some insects, moisten the soil and help decompose manure faster.
vi. Impact on gender
The project factored gender consideration from its design up to implementation. The initial
activity was gender analysis that was ‘commissioned so as to better understand the gender
Leah Nyambura, a coffee farmer and member of Kapkiyai coffee factory in Nandi County
joined the CAP project in 2017. She had a biogas digester installed (left photo) for her through
the project. She was trained twice (for a total of 9 days) by FTA on biogas use and operation.
She has three cows that provides the raw material (dung) for running the biogas unit. The
biogas was still operational by the time of our study. She indicated that she used to spend
about 6 hours to collect firewood, from forests away from her farm; and the collected firewood
would take her for a month. She spends about 2 hours feeding and managing the biodigester
and cleaning the dung area. The biogas produced is able to help cook breakfast, lunch and
supper for a total duration of 2 hours, for the 6 household members. She estimated that to
cook with firewood for the 2 hours would require firewood worth KES 100
Leah uses the biogas slurry on her vegetable gardens and reported an increase in production,
better prices, and faster growth of vegetables through use of biogas slurry, although this could
not be quantified due to lack of records on the kitchen garden. She sold vegetables worth about
KES 10,000 in 2019, and indicated this was an improvement by an estimated 20% from the
sales she was making before. She has 1600 coffee trees, an increase from the 600 trees she
had in 2017. She also uses the slurry from the biodigester on some coffee trees and indicated
that she has realized an increase in productivity per tree and an improvement in greening of
the trees (photo in centre) where she has used the biogas slurry. She predicted that with slurry
production would be higher by 5kgs/tree from her normal yields; where she normally gets
5kg/tree. She also indicated that the area around the biogas (right photo) though not fully
used supports the growth of vegetables and pumpkins, which is consumed by the household.
Through the sensitization she has received from FTA, she has installed solar lighting in her
house.
36 | P a g e
dynamics at play related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, identify, analyze and
examine gendered vulnerabilities and underlying structural norms that affect and limit
women participation in climate change activities, explore the gendered power relations
between men and women; and differences in their access to resources, priorities, needs,
activities and constraints that they face in relation to each other and Identify existing
policies, structures and practices that promote gender equality’. It covered all the 8 FCSs.
The study among others identified that 90% of key decision making positions were dominated
by men and that of the 8 cooperatives surveyed, only 3 had women in leadership positions;
that in dry season women spent approximately 50% of their time per day working while men
spend only 29% of their daily time working , and also during wet season women spent 29% of
their time relaxing and 69% of the time working on their gender roles and responsibilities;
that 81% of female-headed households reported that the land was not registered in their name,
although they occupied it and had the right of use; and that women and children participated
in the collection of firewood in 49% and 36% of households in Machakos and Nandi counties,
respectively, and women ended up spending a lot of time which limited their participation in
organizations’ activities such as key meetings including trainings. There were also other
challenges such as access to credit by women. Although the gender analysis was done after the
project had started, the findings were used to integrate gender in the project. Gender
mainstreaming was factored in the project but challenges in the initial phase of the project e.g.
election of national and county government leaders, delayed its implementation. It is
recommended to try as much as possible to consider issues of national importance like
elections, early in the project concept development, and make necessary provisions to ensure
minimal interruptions to project activities.
The project involved women from the start and by 2019, the beneficiaries in each of the FCS’s
are as indicated in figure 15 below.
Figure 14: Proportion of female and men supported by project in each factory (2019)
Source: Coffee secretary managers, 2020
The factories reported varied levels of participation by the youth; with for example 21.7% of
target beneficiaries in Kapkiyai being youth while Mwatati and Kakuyuni reported less than
40.3%35.8%
43.6%
29.7% 27.0% 28.9% 29.7%
60.8%
33.9%
59.7%64.2%
56.4%
70.3% 73.0% 71.1% 70.3%
39.2%
66.1%
% o
f b
enef
icia
ries
FCS
% no. of woman % no. of men
37 | P a g e
1% and about 2%, respectively. There was also some realisation on factories to consider
persons living with disabilities (PWDs). For instance, there are 5 PWDs listed in Musilili
records, while other factories reported their participation in factory activities like clerical
duties.
At the household level results indicate that more women in the treatment, were involved in
decision making, alone or together with the husbands compared to those in the control group
as shown in table 13 below. This has contributed in changing the attitude of women towards
coffee especially ownership, as observed during the evaluation whereby some female
respondents used terms such as “I employ a casual to spray” etc. This is likely to translate to
more stable households (with minimum conflicts) and consequently, stable FCS’s and
production, in the long term.
Table 12: Women participation in decision making on coffee
County Expenditure on money from coffee sales Coffee production
Treatment Control Treatment Control
Female Both Female Both Female Both Female Both
Machakos 17.8% 58.9% 19.0% 42.9% 19.2% 49.3% 19.0% 40.5%
Kericho 4.8% 66.7% 16.7% 16.7% 9.5% 57.1% 16.7% 8.3%
Women were involved in decision making at the household level. It was indicated by 76.7 % of
respondents that women in treatment group in Machakos were involved in decision making
on selling of coffee; this was higher than in control group (61.9%). This is higher than what
was found during baseline survey where 31% and 11% of women and in Machakos and
Kericho/Nandi were involved in the above decision making.
Table 13: Women participation in decision making on biogas
County investing in biogas construction usage of biogas
Treatment Control Treatment Control
Female Both Female Both Female Both Female Both
Kericho 28.6% 38.1% 0.0% 8.3% 71.4% 14.3% 0.0% 8.3%
In Kericho (table 13) there was also higher participation of women in making decisions on
biogas construction and biogas use; with 28.6% and 38.1% reporting that women alone and
with husband, respectively, were involved in decision making on biogas construction for
treatment group compared to 0.0% and 8.3%, respectively, for control group. On biogas use it
was 71.4% for female alone and 14.3% for both for treatment group compared to 0.0% and
8.3% respectively for control group.
The project had a big focus on women and youth in all the outcomes; and particularly in
outcome 3 to promote an energy switch to renewable energy. In Machakos, 300 households
will finally benefit, the project was geared to supporting women. In Nandi and Kericho, the
project targeted to have 280 households switching to biogas and mainly supporting women.
However, this target could not be reached due to inflation, with the CA project providing a
total of 125 and 80 units in Kapkiyai and Kabngeturny, respectively. This has reduced on
38 | P a g e
firewood use, reducing cost, time to gather firewood and health problems from smoke. The
300 units of supported cookstoves in Machakos will also go into supporting women, who spent
a lot of time fetching firewood, spent more firewood and were subjected to smoke that affected
their health. Across all factories, there was a general agreement among beneficiaries that the
free time available to women had improved.
The project was also able to have the names of deceased men replaced with those of surviving
women (next of kin); giving ownership to women farmers. There was also deliberate effort to
have the management of FCS’s and cooperatives factories in Machakos to include more women
in management and staff positions. Although the evaluation was done soon after the trainings,
the status has since improved. For instance, in Kakuyuni 16% of management is female and 6
out of 12 permanent workers are female; in Mwatati there are 2 female board members (out
of 9) and 4 female employees (out of 12); in Musilili there are 3 females in management (out
0f 12) and 2 female employees out of the 11. Bylaws of the other factories that have fewer
women representation have been reviewed with support of CAP; like for Mukuyuni that have
one female board member, and as a treasurer (out of 9 board members) and one employee
(out of 7), Kitwii that has only one female board member and 1 female out of the 3 employee,
New Mitamboni that has only the CEO as female in management and 12 female employees out
of 32 employees.
The women were also empowered through improved access to credit through the VSLAs
created in Machakos. The VSLAs was in particular successful in Mukuyuni, Musilili and
Mwatati, with the later transforming to a SACCO. Members who are women have been able to
get loans to improve on their agricultural and for some income generation activities, as well as
being able to meet other financial needs like school fees. The proportion of household income
generated by women in Machakos where IGAs were promoted was 40.7% for treatment group
compared to 34.3% for the control. Although membership to VSLA is open to both male and
female members of the FCS, the treasurer of the group is always a lady.
Women in Machakos were found to be involved more in farm activities such as weeding
(42.9%) and picking (40.6%). In other farm related activities, like crop protection, their
participation was less than 30%. In Kericho the women participation was 70.7%, 19.4% and
35.5% in biogas management, biogas construction and slurry disposal respectively.
vi) Documentation and information sharing
The project will have developed a Climate Academy Manual that will be used to share the
learning from CAP phase 1. This will be inform of printing books and developing short films.
The project also introduced a short message texting platform. The model platform is to help
reach farmers on production, climate change issues, or socio-economic activities to improve
livelihoods. The system was installed by a service provider and the right was given to society
to generate own messages, including giving information on weather, calling meetings, etc.
Famers reached (about 10-15% of the farmer) have expressed that the system is good. The
FCSs have however not been able to populate the data for all their farmers into the sms
platform database, mainly due to limited resources to collect current data from the farmers
(who are spread over large catchments), as well as create more awareness on the same and
partner with relevant bodies like meteorological stations to provide accurate weather data on
regular basis.
39 | P a g e
4.3.3 Efficiency
The project implementers felt that the money was enough for the planned activities, though
indications were that more time and activities would have widened the project impact. The
project realized the planned activities in a shorter time than planned. It was noted that the
project was to start in March, 2017, but delayed by three months. The delay was due to the
need for FTA to fulfill all donor requirements before project could be kicked off. FTA also
sought to have a clear definition of roles for all partners as well as planned activities. The
electioneering period in the Country, starting from June to December 2017 affected the project
activities, consequently lowering the beneficiaries’ participation in the initial activities.
However, with these challenges, some activities like project audit could not be undertaken
within the project timeframe, even after an extension of project to September 2019.
The shift in method of implementation of some activities, for example in promotion of
cookstoves, where the initial plan was to acquire already made units against the adopted
method of fabricating them on site, also led to some delays, as the later method required more
time to plan and procure materials & services.
The consultant finds that there was value for money in implementation of the CAP 1 project
given that activities will finally be implemented as planned, with Euros 586,549 of the
allocated Euros 609,658 being was used; making a saving of Euros 15,000. The saving came
from some activities, like the Fairtrade system wide learning components. The saving has been
earmarked to finance extra activities like the documentation of climate change adaptation and
mitigation practices. We Effect had a total budget of 19,736,400, and by the time of evaluation
14,995,168 but with total actual expenditures of 16,991,600 implying a balance of
uncommitted funds of KES 2,744,800 (13.9% of budget) and unpaid balance to We Effect of
KES 1,996,431 (10.1% of budget).
The project coordination and implementation were efficient. The CAP project was overseen by
the project officer with support of MEL and Operations Manager East and Central Africa. In
Machakos the project was implemented through MCU and We Effect, with the latter in charge
of outcomes 2 and 4 and the former in charge of outcome 1 and 3 (in partnership with FTA);
but MCU also implemented some activities under outcomes 2 and 4, with authority from We
Effect (delegation). The management of funds for outcomes 1 and 3 and for Kapkiyai and
Kabngetuny was directly from FTA, while We Effect had direct funding of outcomes 2 and 4
for Machakos. According to FCSs and MCU, funding was smooth. The implementation
approach was effective; and the partners and FTA prior experience in implementing similar
components assigned to them was a key driver. The funds for implementing biogas in Kericho
and Nandi were given to the FCSs who then procured the materials and services; For instance,
the society with support of the project consultant came up with bill of quantities (BQ); the
consultant also trained the artisans. The BQ for Kabng’etuny was higher than for Kapkiyai as
the poor road network increased cost of the systems.
Of particular impact to project was the MEL framework used in ensuring that changes to
project were implemented early enough. The MEL framework is illustrated below:
40 | P a g e
Figure 15: CAP adopted MEL activities adopted from ECAN MEL framework
The project engaged stakeholders both in implementation, planning and adjustment of project
activities, especially through MEL framework (figure 5); this was more emphasized after year
one when the Fairtrade Eastern and Central Africa Network (FTA-ECAN) MEL framework was
fully adopted. The framework helped review targets, along the long-term objectives, with
beneficiaries and stakeholders’ participation. The unrealistic targets were readjusted in initial
year, and this continued to the end. It also enhanced more participation of stakeholders like
Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperatives as well as financial institutions (who were not
much involved in the initial year). The framework saw the adjustment of initial targets after
the baseline study, although this was done later than planned. The 1-2 days stakeholders
meetings, normally held in quarter 4 enhanced the engagement of all stakeholders and utilised
the findings from needs assessment done by the project manager. During the said meetings,
stakeholders (beneficiaries, government departments, etc.) are grouped in terms of their roles;
a look back is made on activities undertaken; beneficiaries are requested to present on the
success and what needs to be improved; then all participants reflect at what worked, what
caused challenges and areas of improvement. There were also regular quarterly debriefing
2. Stakeholders meeting in
quarter 4 every year.
-Review activities for the year -Stakeholders grouped as per their role- give area of focus, what worked, and give improvement needed -Beneficiaries do presentation-on success, lessons, needed improvement MEL drives the process -
3. Internal meeting
- Discuss the need assessment jointly and agree on activities - Involvement of MCU, BDA,
Operations manager, MEL -share on emerging needs
-check that targets are on track
1. Need assessment
-by all project officers
-look at arising needs
Spot checks by MEL department -Confirm on the actual implementation on the ground -Build case studies
Debriefing meetings
Baseline survey -At start of project
-identify key stakeholders- strengths, roles
-status of beneficiaries
External sharing and
learning -Communication
pieces- through FTA reports and website
-media e.g. newspaper
41 | P a g e
meetings where management of FCSs sit with FTA staff to discuss on project. The internal
meeting (usually held around January-February) builds on stakeholders and debriefing
meetings and involved Project & operation manager, MEL, and We Effect. MCU, Kapkiyai and
Kabng’etuny would share their views with project manager for inputs and consideration in the
internal meeting. The MEL department also would make spot checks, to gather and confirm
information on activities on ground, get a view on sustainability of interventions and build
case studies.
The MEL framework was strengthened through sharing and documentation of project
activities. The project through the communication desk developed communication piece, show
casing at a time what CAP is doing on each pillar. Moreover, documentation done by the team
from MHNL for impact communication and campaigns in the south was noted to be quite
useful. This documentation of information, for example, case studies on IGAs was posted on
the FTA website and shared with beneficiaries and stakeholders. This would help especially
the beneficiaries to learn and bench mark with other FCSs, thus improving project
achievements.
The project’s initial year saw the project human capacity formation and strengthening being
undertaken, with new staff recruited to specifically handle the project components. The
consultant however noted the little involvement of some relevant stakeholders from the start;
for example, from the Ministry of Environment and the Forestry department, Machakos
University etc.; organisations and departments that would have provided more synergies
during project implementation. It became hard to include the organisations and departments
later during project implementation.
In addition, the CA project included beneficiary exchange programmes and learning visits to other like-minded projects. In this aspect, each year a team of project beneficiary would participate in learning and exchange visits, like for example, a learning visit to Uganda by the project beneficiary representative to learn SALM best practices from the GREAN project; or the visit to Central Kenya Coffee Mills by a group of beneficiaries from Machakos to learn about secondary processing of coffee.
4.3.4 Sustainability
The project approaches and components will ensure that project activities and impacts
continue to be felt even after project implementation
• The VSLA were mainly an outgrowth of existing local women savings schemes. The
success of the VSLAs is a pointer to the fact that the beneficiaries associates with the
approach. The associations received no seed capital from the project, and have
continue to grow their capital base; currently the 300 VSLAs in Machakos have an
estimated savings running into a few millions Kenyan shillings. The VSLAs in Mwatati
have grown to be a SACCO, and there was an indication that many others are being
encouraged to follow this path. The SACCOs which are formal organisations with
defined structures and legal backing are potentially more sustainable. The experiences
of Mwatati FCS, if shared with other VSLAs, would ensure more sustainability in the
VSLAs.
• The use of promoter farmers as trainers will ensure that extension services and training
on various aspects promoted through the project are sustained even with the project.
The project targeted to train 30 promoter farmers per FCS of which 30% were to be
women, and this translate to a ratio of 1 promoter for every 35 project farmers in
42 | P a g e
Machakos, which is way above the current extension service staff employed by the
county government (approximately 1 per subcounty although succession following
retirement has been a challenge). Thus, the consultants noted that the adoption of
SALM practices was successful, exceeding the target of 1000 farmers, initially planned
for.
• The training of cookstove and biogas artisans in Machakos and Nandi and Kericho will
ensure that aspects promoted through the project on biogas and stoves are sustained
even with the project. The number of artisans (youth) on biogas and cookstoves was
60, and this translate to a ratio of 60 artisans to 280 units of biogas units in Nandi and
Kericho, and 300 using energy efficient stoves in the Machakos project target area.
This is enough to ensure continuous construction (on demand), repairs and
maintenance of the project installed units in the three counties.
• The types of technologies promoted and the establishment of demonstration farms in
the respective cooperative societies will ensure that beneficiaries continue to benefit
from, for example, access to incubators; tissue culture banana suckers; skills and
knowledge on greenhouse technology and drip irrigation; and tree crops seeding.
• The strengthening of FCS management on governance have shown that this is a driver
to better decision makings and support to the farmers. The strengthening of the FCSs
will enhance continuous improved service delivery to beneficiaries through prompt,
efficient and beneficial interventions. The use of the FCSs and MCU to transfer
promoted technologies will also ensure sustainability of promotion of these
technologies through the FCS and MCU organisations structures. MCU will share the
same with other cooperatives who were not participating in the current project, thereby
having a multiplier effect.
• One of the components that majority of stakeholders in Machakos felt needed to have
been factored in the project was the linkage to market especially for poultry. Thus, it is
crucial to consider farm level diversification like integrating IGAs into local or regional
processing and marketing networks that conserve farms, create jobs and strengthen
regional economic cycles. In Kericho and Nandi, access to materials for repairs and
maintenance of biogas units was identified as a challenge that hindered prompt repairs
and maintenance of the installed units. This is because of long distances and rough
roads that makes transportation of such materials expensive. This is seen as one of
limiting factor to ensuring sustainability of biogas systems and poultry enterprise
promoted by the project.
• The Climate Academy Manual and the full utilization of the short message texting will
ensure continuous provision of information and help share experiences from CAP
project.
4.4 Conclusion
The following conclusions are drawn from the findings and draw on data collection and
analyses undertaken through a chain of arguments. The conclusion points out the factors of
success and failure of the evaluated project, with special attention paid to the intended and
unintended results and impacts, and to any strengths or weaknesses.
The project was relevant to the beneficiaries as reported in through challenges identified in
baseline survey and during project evaluation and through the activities implemented through
the project. The project activities, outputs, and outcome relate with the FTA thematic areas
43 | P a g e
and to the FT ToC; with focus on improving economic empowerment, wellbeing, diversified
livelihoods, environmental sustainability, gender equity, working conditions, resilient and
empowered producer organisations and farmers. The project was also aligned to the County
and national government’s development agenda
The project enhance value for money as activities were done as planned and in a shorter time.
There was some saving on fund on some activities, with savings of 2.5% on total budget. The
project only experienced a minor delay in projects start as FTA sought clarification on roles of
each participant in the project. This delay only affected some few activities such as provision
of cook stoves in Machakos emanating from change in approach. The project MEL framework
was effective in realigning the project to its goal, and in sharing and documenting project
progress-activities, outputs and outcomes. There was collaboration with some County
government departments; such as Departments of Agriculture in both Kericho/Nandi and in
Machakos, and Department of Cooperatives in Kericho/Nandi
The project was successful in changing the livelihoods of the beneficiaries through the various
interventions as reflected in improvement in value of assets, saving in time for sourcing of
energy and energy cost, and farmers perception on their wellbeing and economic status. The
trainings were also effective. The project duration was short, so most of the possible impacts
had not fully been realised. Some few measures that reflected changes included;
• Those who had started alternative incomes in Machakos were 16.7% in the treatment group compared to 15.1% in control group.
• Those using the VSLAs in Machakos had increased with 21.4% in treatment group compared to 9.7% in control group indicating improvement.
• Farmers perception on changes in some economic and coffee production parameters was that the parameters had slightly improved; with for example 44.5% in treatment group compared to 25% of those in control group in Machakos indicating that productivity in 2019 was better than in 2017. The low production in the previous year of comparison (2018) due to low rainfall did not limiting farmers from viewing that productivity over 3 years had improved. The farmers view was same on improvement in household incomes, income from coffee, cost of energy, and food security. The farmers also directly associated some of the changes to the project, with 24.9, 47.5, 50 and 52.5%% associating the changes in income from coffee, coffee productivity, cost of
energy and total household income to CAP. In Kericho 90.4% and 100% associated the changes in cost of energy and household incomes to the project.
• The value of assets, a good measure of economic status in the short run had improved; with a reported 39.4% and 27.2% increase for those in treatment and control group in Machakos and 25 and 21.2% for those in Kericho groups respectively. There was also a slight improvement in houses with for example usage of iron sheet as a roofing material increasing from 90.1 to 97.5% in Machakos.
• The FCS were trained on various aspects to strengthen their economic status; they were
sensitized or trained on among others aspects; farming as a business, and record keeping, financial literacy. The levels of training in these areas was comparative higher in treatment than control group; an indication of extra trainings from CAP; for example, 61% in treatment group compared to 42.9% in the control reported to have been trained on farming as a business. The trainings were reported to be important. Also, the farmers indicated they were utilising the knowledge acquired; with for example 68.5% in treatment group compared to 54.8% in control group in Machakos indicating to be practicing record keeping
44 | P a g e
The project managed to capacity building the FCS board of management and supervisory
committee members, on various aspect of management; including leadership and
governance, financial management, internal management, disaster and risk management,
social policies. Also, the managers had been trained on technical aspects such as soil
conservation, climate change etc. These trainings were reported to be useful with an
average rating of 4; on a scale (of 1 not useful to 5-very useful). Some few measures that
reflected the changes included;
• According to the results of the SCOPE assessment the six participating FCSs in
Machakos scored an overall average 3.4 and 3.5 on the measured management dimensions at the start and end of the project, respectively
• The various dimensions had changed from the 2017 score; with changes of internal management (0.5), operations (0), financial management (-0.3), sustainability (0.5), supply (-0.5), marketing (-0.1), enablers (0.1) and external risks (1.2) as by end of project. Some few factories such as Kitwii and New Mitamboni scored low in internal management, therefore lowering the overall mean score. The low score in financial management was more driven by external factors, including high cost
of inputs, low production in 2017/2018 season and low internal coffee prices.
• The various measures on affiliation and perception about FCS showed marked difference between the treatment and control in terms of the treatment FCSs being better in most management related parameters. For example, for the treatment and control group farmers, 52.8% compared to 52.4% respectively trusted the way cooperatives calculated and explained prices, 40.2% compared to 30.9% respectively agreed that their cooperative had improved since 2017, and 40.3% and 30.9% respectively agreed the managers are able to make better decisions since 2017.
Within the broad Fairtrade framework, the project was able integrate though not directly the
decent working conditions within Fairtrade projects and interventions. Some of the aspects
that showed these were;
• The high use of labour (both permanent and casual) by the treatment groups in Machakos and in Nandi and Kericho; with 82% in treatment compared to 76.2% in control in Machakos using hired labour, while in Kericho it was 77.8 and 66.7% respectively.
• There was also proportionate good employment of permanent labour in many factories; with a mean proportion of 33.7% and 34.1% in Machakos and Kericho/Nandi being permanent workers. The average number of permanent workers was 12.8 and 9.5 in Machakos and Kericho/Nandi respectively.
• The study didn’t find visible cases of child labour abuse. Signages were posted in most factories indicating that only persons over 18years old were engaged
• There was little participation of women in spraying activities.
• The remuneration to biogas artisans of KES 20,000 per unit through the project and KES 15,900 to 18,600 for privately constructed biogas was reported by the artisans to be good.
CAP was found to have had some community impact. This was noted in the following aspects
• VSLAs had improved social interaction and cohesion amongst the community, as members met frequently
• The general perception was that had it not been for the low rainfall in 2018/2019, productivity and income from coffee would have increased. This would have improved
45 | P a g e
the premium payment and would have facilitated the support provided by FCS to community, such as FCS and community infrastructure development.
• The coffee roaster installed by CAP for MCU is expected to increase returns on coffee, and therefore improve incomes of the community through better prices
• IGAs and biogas units constructed have already started creating employment,
including to women and youth, in the rural areas, and in the long run is expected to lead to reduced rural-urban migration.
• The proportion of respondents accessing credit had improved significantly in the treatment, with those accessing in treatment (23.3%) being higher than of control (16.7%) by end of 2019; compared to 1.4% and 9.5%, respectively, in 2017. VSLAs being a major driver to this improvement. This has spread to the wider community
• Other community related aspects were also reported to have slightly improved; in
Machakos such aspects as extension services, system of agricultural marketing, use of pesticides, resilience to climate change, environmental condition, gender inclusiveness and access to capital and credit were felt in either of interviewed FCSs to be somehow better. In Kericho the benefits were reported to be cover more aspects; including linkages to private sector and NGOs, rural urban migration, access to health, and affording of basic services.
Two of the project outcomes (2 and 3) had a focus on environmental sustainability. The project
managed to make some positive changes on this component;
• There was high awareness on climate change in Machakos. Over one third of the
respondents had been trained on climate change with 34.7% and 33.3% in treatment and control, respectively. Those trained in treatment group 68% indicted training was very useful, 28% indicated it was useful (score of 4, on a 1-5 score).
• The beneficiary farmers in Machakos reported to have undergone various SALM practices with 46.5, 36.1, 48.6, 48.6, 31.9, 41.7, 34.7, 29.2% and 12.5% reported to have been trained on agroforestry, conservation agriculture, organic farming, pest and diseases management, soil and water conservation, agronomical practices, tree nursery establishment and greenhouse management, respectively. Majority (76.2-100%, and a mean of 92.1%) of those trained indicated to be implementing the SALM
practices they were taught. The trainings were indicated to have been useful.
• Use of shade trees had improved; farmers reported to have 108 trees, compared to control group number of 41.6 trees. The farmers indicated that 22.4% of the coffee shade trees in the farms had come through the project. The realised benefits of shade trees on coffee were reported as; improved coffee production and quality due to reduced coffee drying; the litter from the trees acted as mulch; the trees acted as wind breaks and prevented coffee trees from breakages
• Results indicate that 38.9% and 31.0% of the farmers in treatment and control in
Machakos respectively, reported having a tree nursery or planted own seedling. A good number of them, 39.3%, reported having planted the trees after 2017, thus the
trainings through the project triggered this action.
• There was a reported improvement in level of knowledge acquired on various SALM practices; with an average of 70.1% feeling their knowledge was fair to high in 2019 compared to 57.4% who felt it was fair to high in 2017.
• 95% of the farmers in the treatment group reported to have been trained on biogas use; compared to 16.7% of control group. Of those trained in the treatment groups, 90% indicated the trainings were very useful while 10% indicated it was useful (rating of 4).
• There were some few adoptions of biogas units in Kericho, with one artisan indicating to have constructed 2 biogas units outside the projects one.
46 | P a g e
• Due to promotion and use of biogas, there was reported reduction in time for gathering firewood in Kericho and Nandi with 62.5 and 70.8% reduction for all household and for only biogas users respectively for the treatment group, compared to 14.3% and 50.0% for the few biogas users in control group. There was also reported reduction in cost of firewood used in Kericho and Nandi with 69.9 and 66.5% reduction for all
household and for only biogas users respectively for the treatment group, compared to 33.1 and 58.1% for the control group. There was less usage of firewood in treatment than in control; with 81.9 and 85.9% of those in treatment and control groups in Machakos respectively using firewood. This was a reduction from baseline survey figure where 100% indicated to have been using firewood. In Kericho this was 14.3 and 91.7% for treatment and control, respectively. Ownership of biogas units increased from 0.38 in 2017 to 0.95 in 2019 for Kericho and Nandi FCSs farmers.
• Use of slurry and biogas in Kericho and Nandi was reported to bring other benefits to farmers, with for example an estimated increase in coffee production per tree from 1.9
kg to 3.2 kg when using slurry and normal manure, respectively. The time taken to cook was estimated to have reduced; with for example supper taking 0.93hrs and 1.53 hours to cook with biogas and firewood, respectively.
• The promotion of cookstove in Machakos was reported to have reduced usage firewood, and therefore the time to gather firewood. The reduction in time for collecting firewood was 28.6% for all respondents and 23.4% for cookstove users for the treatment group and 10.7% and 14.3% respectively for few cookstove user in control group.
The study found that the project had mainstreamed gender in its implementation. These was
reflected through;
• Planning for gender integration was done; a gender analysis was undertaken in first year of project implementation to understand gender dynamics and to enable factoring of gender in the project.
• The project involved women from the start and by 2019; with 27 to 43.6% (average of 33.9%) of those supported by project in either of the FCSs in Machakos and Kericho/Nandi being women.
• The project factored gender and youth in its MEL and other reporting. For example,
the FSCs reported youth composition in their membership, with 21.7% of target beneficiaries in Kapkiyai being youth, Mwatati less than 1% were youth and Kakuyuni reported about 2% were youth
• Participation of women in decision making was high for treatment group; for example, 76.7 % of respondents reported that women in treatment group in Machakos were involved (singly or jointly with husbands) in decision making on selling of coffee; this was higher than in control group (61.9%). In Kericho and Nandi 28.6% and 38.1% reported that women singly and with husband respectively, were involved in decision
making on biogas construction for treatment group, compared to 0.0% and 8.3%, respectively, for control group
• The project focused on women in outcomes 2 and 3. In Machakos, 300 households and mainly through women were supported with cookstove; and in Nandi and Kericho 280 households were to be supported on biogas, majority being through women. This project anticipated that supporting women by reducing the time they spend on gathering firewood, would provide them with time for other activities, a result that was realised in the three counties.
• More women are now involved in management and are also employed in factories, as
from the scope study and interviews with secretary managers. For instance, two FCSs in Machakos have female Secretary Managers, a role traditionally occupied by men;
47 | P a g e
moreover in Mukuyuni FCS, the treasurer is a lady while a couple other women are in management of various FCS as mentioned earlier. Even where this has not been fully achieved e.g. in Kitwii, Mukuyuni and New Mitamboni, bylaws have been reviewed with support of CAP to include more women in leadership.
• The project has also empowered women through improved access to credit through the
VSLAs created in Machakos.
There is possibility that there will be sustainability in most of project initiatives given that;
• The strengthening of FCS management on governance have shown that this is a driver to better decision makings and service delivery to the farmers, this capacity will remain within the beneficiaries to support future activities
• The type of technologies promoted and the establishment of demonstration farms will ensure that beneficiaries continue to benefit from these interventions
• Training of local cookstove and biogas artisans in Machakos and Nandi and Kericho will ensure that aspects promoted through the project on biogas and stoves are sustained even with the project
• Use of local promoter farmers as trainers will ensure that extension services and training on various aspects promoted through the project are sustained
• The VSLAs grew from existing practices (chamas) in Machakos and didn’t rely on any financial support from CAP, therefore they have a high chance of self-sustaining even after the project.
• Lack of market linkage could affect some project such as poultry sustainability. Also, the challenge of acquisition of materials for repair of biogas units in Kericho and Nandi could limit operation and sustainability of the units.
48 | P a g e
4.5 Case studies; Lessons learned; Best Practices and Recommendations
4.5.1 Case studies
Case studies -Promoter Farmer
Esther Munyiva Mbithi of Mukuyuni FCS, Machakos has been trained as a promoter
farmer since 2017. She was selected because of her good efforts as a farmer. She has been
trained on weeding and pest management; pruning, manure application; soil and water
conservation with each training taking about half a day. She has also undergone
trainings on solar and greenhouse. She indicated that the trainings were very useful and
have helped improve the little knowledge and capacity she had on coffee production. She
has also participated in field visits to Sagana; where she was exposed to secondary
processing such as roasting and coffee production. She felt that the visit was very useful
and well supported. Overall, she reported that there were good arrangements on training
of right selection of trainers.
Model used; She has trained about 60 farmers through visiting them, holding discussion
and demonstration on coffee management practices such as on pruning; she also acts as
a lead farmer by example, and also visit other farmers. In the year 2017, she trained on
land preparation, planting, spraying; while in 2018 the trainings focused on pruning,
fertilizer application and use and planting of shade tree. She did trainings every week
for 2-3 months. She says she feel that she has made contribution to society through her
training of fellow farmers. She thinks that her activities as a promoter farmer will
continue as she has the trust of farmers and the required knowledge to train farmers
continuously. Her services also continue to be demanded by farmers, a fact she notes is
likely to continue. Previously, farmers used to rely on farmer field days organized by the
national government through the ministry of agriculture, which was insufficient and
unreliable. Currently, farmers can ask her questions on aspects related to coffee
husbandry in any forum like women group meetings, and she is able to give a timely
response. She felts that there is need for continuous skills upgrade for promoter farmers;
decentralise demonstration sites so that farmers do not travel far to see technologies
such as solar; support through monthly stipend to support promoters’ welfare activities;
and factories to expand internship opportunities for agricultural graduates who can also
support promoters’ efforts. She also felt that there is need to support input supply and
loans access to boost production for the farmers, for example through linkage.
49 | P a g e
Case studies -Local artisans
Alice Jeptoo, 29 years, was trained as a biogas artisan by FTA, through Kapkiyai
Cooperative Society, in Nandi County. The business management diploma graduate, was
a farmer before, and continues with her farming business
She opted to take the work as an artisan as an employment opportunity. She started the
work as an artisan on biogas in 2017 after being interviewed for the job, and thereafter
after receiving 2 weeks training on construction and management of the biogas unit. She
indicated that the training was useful and has helped her to construct 10 biogas units; 8
through the project and 2 for farmers outside the project. She says the job as an artisan
has improved her incomes and life.
Model used: For biogas unit put up through the project, the artisans worked in pairs, with
the one tasked with the digester receiving all the payment; she/he would inturn also
support his partner at no fee. For the FTA systems, they were being paid KES 20,000;
hence Jeptoo received KES 160,000 for the 8 digesters. The privately demanded systems
(adopted systems) were charged differently with artisan charging 18,000 and 27,000 for
a 4 and 10m3 digester. The artisan then hires 1 and 4 casuals for the 4 and 10m3,
respectively, and pays them KES 300 per day; therefore, generating a profit of KES
15,900 and 18,600, respectively. She feels the business will continue even after the
project, given that more farmers are showing interest. Being a member of the local
community and a resident in the area, she feels that she will be in a position to enter in
to workable agreements which are more affordable to the farmers on biogas construction.
Previously, one had to raise capital and look for skilled masons from beyond the region
(who were usually expensive). The road has also been repaired bringing down the cost of
construction materials. She has also been marketing her work and promoting use of
biogas through telephone call; but points out at the need for support to artisans to be able
to sensitize farmers so as to improve the uptake of biogas. She would wish for more
training on management of biogas systems. She feels that factories need to be supported
in procuring materials for biogas construction and repairs, as the materials are sourced
from far towns, which increases costs of the materials and delays repairs.
50 | P a g e
4.5.2 Lessons and Best Practices
Lessons Learned.
• Projects that have activities that lead to quick returns/incomes and technologies that
are current are easily taken by the youth. Training on biogas construction was
embraced by youth on simple technologies as it was seen to provide immediate
employment, an aspect desired by youths. Future projects should consider similar
initiatives.
• Recruitment of key project staff early in project implementation ensure smooth and
effective project implementation.
• Qualified and appropriate management of institutions are key to ensuring
collaboration, smooth project implementation and beneficiaries’ participation.
Trainings alone of management, even on relevant issues like leadership and
governance, doesn’t necessary fully improve these parameters, and this hinders the
realization of project goals and objectives
• Timelines identified during initial project development need to be adhered to through,
for example, extending projects with same time periods that delays have occurred. This
ensures that activities are implemented as planned, and ensure desired impact is
realized.
• Gender mainstreaming need be factored early including in concept development; delays in undertaking the gender analysis and failure to include gender considerations in project development limited effective gender mainstreaming.
• When project has a short time period some aspects might not be fully implemented and also desired benefits might not be realised within project time frame; for example, adaptation measures to climate change might require more time, compared to mitigation that could be undertaken and realised within the short time
• Variations in geographical conditions for different project sites can vary the cost of the
different technologies; increasing cost in some situation
• When key stakeholders are involved from in the project, this helps bring and improves
on synergies and support from other stakeholders like County government; and also
promotes a sense of ownership of the project by the beneficiaries which in the long-
term results to sustainability and continuity of project best practices. For example,
coffee was not a priority crop in Machakos, hence the support from various
stakeholders was limited. A bill passed through MCU helped to have coffee as a priority
crop; this enabled more participation of County government.
• When the key value chain activities such as market linkages are not incorporated well
in projects can hinder adoption of technologies and practices; for example, market
linkage for poultry and poultry products.
• Difficulties in procuring materials due to the long distances, rough roads and therefore
high cost of procuring by individual farmers; inappropriate planning and selection of
beneficiaries; inadequate capacity building on biogas management and maintenance,
poor technical backup and lack of farmers initiative among other factors can limit the
biogas units use. Of the 125 and 80 units installed in Kapkiyai and Kabngertuny,
51 | P a g e
respectively, it was reported that 48.2 and 40% respectively were not functioning at
the time of evaluation. Of those not functioning about half weren’t because of failure
by farmers to feed them, while the other half were not working due to technical
challenges, such as blockages in systems etc.
4.5.3 Good practices
• An efficient and participatory MEL arrangement incorporated early in project ensures
efficient implementation of projects- Involvement of key stakeholders in MEL ensures
that targets developed are more realistic and this improves projects achievements.
• Tailoring interventions along local solutions or building on local systems and activities
for example existing saving programme like merry go round (Chamas) enhances
adoption of new technologies and approaches; it improves the success and ownership
of the initiative, as beneficiaries can easily identify with it.
• Use of local institutions to promote technology is well received by beneficiaries and
consequently ownership and association with the projects is enhanced.
• Proper planning in the initial stage ensures that the project implementation is aligned
with objectives; helps in understand project concept, what phases to implement and
when to start, how the project is aligned to initial agreement with donors, what will be
done at what time, identifying or mapping of the stakeholders and define their roles
and manage their expectation’s.
• Undertaking baseline study early helps in understanding the needs of beneficiaries
from the initial stage and include their needs in-project plans and implementation.
This ensure that the concerns of beneficiaries are factored into the project; the
strengths and roles of stakeholders are understood and the right stakeholders are
selected; and that realistic targets are set
• The use of institutions already established in the target area, like MCU in Machakos,
improves project acceptance and contributes to its success due to close monitoring. Such institutions continue undertaking some activities long after the project ends. Also use of institutions, like We Effect, familiar with project sites and with experience in handling similar project components and working with beneficiaries ensures smoother implementation of projects.
• Organizing groups meeting at the respective FCSs ensures better participation of members, this has been seen with the VSLAs. Management board allowed VSLA members to hold their meetings at the factory grounds, rather than own homes etc. This improves relationship between management and members as well as cohesion among them.
• Use of local trainers and artisans is an effective way of provision of technologies and
skills, as beneficiaries have quicker access to services and also associate well with local
providers of such technologies.
• Piloting technologies through the FCSs is an effective and cost-effective way of
transferring technologies; there is trust, possibility of wider reach, and sustainability
of the started activities through continuous support by the FCSs
• Building on lesson from previous project, and scaling efforts earlier initiated ensures a
quick start and implementation of project; for example, building on Women in Coffee
biogas project in Nandi and Kericho.
52 | P a g e
• Use of promoter farmers, ToTs as well as documentation of good practices, success
stories and experiences like it was with the development of the climate academy
manual, facilitates the sharing of the same to a wider audience thus having a multiplier
effect.
• Interventions which are not complicated to adopt, and whose benefits are multiple, like the use of avocado/macadamia as shade trees (provide shade, fruits, timber and
fuel) or chicken (provide eggs, manure and meat) are easier to promote among smallholder farmers as they do not require heavy capital investments like greenhouses.
• Use of locals to train youth as masons for biogas projects was well received and increased sustainability of the initiative as the knowledge to implement it is within the community.
• Smallholder farmers organized in cooperatives are influential in getting local leaders make policies in their favour, like it was in Machakos, which led to the establishment of a Chief Officer coffee position.
• Effectively documenting the project interventions adoption process contributes to the
building of a knowledge base for adoption of promoted technologies and practices and facilitates subsequent similar assessments and future planning. In addition, project (FTA and We Effect) regular reporting on the elements of the process, including on projects and activities, facilitates the documentation of the process and thus promotes the archiving and sharing of information. The use of communication piece and development of Climate academy Manual, together with the quarterly reporting as per FTA requirement and We Effect monthly reporting, to document project progress strengthened project implementation.
4.5.4 Scalability and replicability
The following aspects were found to be possible immediate interventions that can be replicated
and scaled up in the same project areas, MCU factories, and in other areas with similar
characteristics;
• VSLAs
• IGAs and especially poultry and coffee roasting
• SALM technologies and practices especially on coffee shade trees
• Renewable energy technologies; biogas, cookstoves and solar energy and potential for carbon credits
• Use of promoter as an extension methodology and use of local artisans to support technology fabrication and transfer
• Sharing of experiences and knowledge on aspects promoted through CAP
• Women and youth participation
4.5.5 Recommendations –
General recommendations
• Developed projects should strive to enhance the success of introduced initiatives through offering more support services such as linking farmers introduced to
production of for example poultry to the markets. There is also need to support input supply and loans access to boost production for the farmers, for example through better linkages.
• There is need to have activities that target the youth, like projects that have quick returns and have current aspects desired by youth; for example, training on simple technologies such as biogas, or translation of the short message service in local dialects
53 | P a g e
or any other initiative which captures the use of information technology and social media.
• Target should be in improving farmers welfare and not the enterprise, so project should also factor in support programmes or activities that improve farmers livelihoods for example irrigation in the arid areas of Machakos.
• Proper communication, especially on financial matters and expectations, should be very well communicated to all partners to avoid misunderstandings; a communication plan need be factored during project development and implemented throughout to enhance this.
Recommendation to FTA
Planning and project design
• There is need to include key stakeholders early in project planning, to ensure their
continued participation and support to project.
• There is need to ensure that an exit strategy is incorporated in project design, such as
development of a program for example through discussion with the County
governments for project extension or new donor support, to enhance market linkage
like for poultry in Machakos. A similar program could be supported to ensure in
Kericho and Nandi, biogas beneficiaries’ access easily and cheaply materials for repairs
and maintenance of biogas units.
• Complete bill of quantities needs to be developed during project development to avoid budget escalation; for example, the poor road network increased BQs for Kabng’etuny biogas systems.
• There is need to have budgetary provision to motivate ToTs
• Differentiated budgeting based on varied conditions of each partner (FCS), would be needed. For example, for Kakuyuni production had gone down and they needed more than training to bring the farmers back. Funding and number of technologies provided should be based also on number of wet mills and not per FCS.
• FTA need to build capacity and recruit staff in the various project components instead
of using other partners; this could lower the cost of project implementation.
Furthermore, there ought to be proper succession planning in every project to ensure
no delays in case of staff movement
Project implementation
• Baseline survey should be done early in the project cycle starting immediately after
kick off, so as to establish the actual status of key aspects of the ground as well as create
awareness about the project. This will enable the project implementer to measure
impact easily, as well as map stakeholders and clarify their roles. Furthermore,
understanding specific beneficiaries needs way early before implementation of key
project activities, helps in setting realistic targets
• Piloting of technologies through demonstration farms would be more effective through decentralising demonstration sites, and taking them closer to for example farmers’ farms, so that farmers do not travel far to see technologies and also farmers would relate more with results if they happen at a farmers site.
• A more supportive framework to promoters needs to be included in proposal development; for example, by providing farmers with monthly stipend to support
54 | P a g e
promoters’ welfare activities in the initial phases of project, before farmers increase demand for promoters’ services.
• Training on biogas construction should be longer, with artisans being taken through all aspects including trouble shooting and maintenance of the systems. In addition, a similar program, to train artisans to fabricate incubators, construct poultry houses,
greenhouses or install solar systems in Machakos would have enhanced sustainability.
• A project of this nature requires longer implementation period to ensure enough time for various activities as well as realisation of results. If possible, adjustments ought to be made to make up for time lost inadvertently, like due to elections (as it was in 2017) or pandemics
Recommendations to FCS
• There is need for continuous skills upgrade to promoters and local artisans so that they can continue to support farmers with wider and emerging skills and technologies
• The experiences of Mwatati on transformation of VSLAs to SACCO needed to be shared
with other VSLAs to ensure more sustainability in the VSLAs
• FCSs or households could support in procurement materials for biogas construction and repairs through acquisition and transportation; this would not only lower the cost
and allow timely repairs as currently the materials are sourced far towns, but also improve sustainability by enhancing ownership. Moreover, projects should target sustainability at the micro (household) rather than macro (society) level especially for ownership of the activities
• There is need to scale out trainings on financial literacy that were undertaken to few but was rated as useful, with the training impacts being felt through the VSLAs
• The efforts of promoters can be expanded by factories expanding internship opportunities for agricultural graduates who can also support promoters’ efforts.
55 | P a g e
5 REFERENCES
Initiative for Coffee and Climate (2015). Climate Change Adaptation in Coffee Production. A
step by step guide to supporting coffee farmers in adapting to climate change. Available
at www.coffeeandclimate.org
County Government of Nandi (2018). County Integrated Development Plan 2018-2023
County Government of Kericho (2018). Second Generation County Integrated Development
Plan 2018-2022
County of Machakos (2018). Machakos County Integrated Plan II 2018-2022
Fairtrade Africa (2017). Baseline Survey Report-Coffee Farmers in Dire Straits (Climate
Academy Project).
Fairtrade Africa (2019). End of Project Report: Coffee Farmers in Dire Straits Project
Fairtrade Africa (2019). Gender Analysis for Fairtrade Certified Coffee Cooperatives in Nandi
and Machakos Counties, Kenya Coffee Farmers in Dire Straits Project
Fairtrade Africa (2019). Guide for Fairtrade Certified Coffee Producers: A Guide for Producer’s
Adaptation and Mitigation to Climate Change. Climate Academy
Nelson V., J. Morton, T. Chancellor, P. Burt and B. Pound (2010). Climate Change,
Agricultural Adaptation and Fairtrade Identifying the Challenges and Opportunities.
Report commissioned by the Fairtrade Foundation
GOK (2019). Economic Survey Report 2020. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Haggar and K. Schepp (2012). Coffee and Climate Change Impacts and options for adaption
in Brazil,Guatemala, Tanzania and Vietnam.
HIVOS coffee barometer 2018
International Coffee Organisation (2020).
ILO (2018). Guide on Measuring Decent Jobs for Youth Monitoring, evaluation and learning
in labour market programmes. Note 6-A step-by-step guide to impact evaluation
Israel, Glenn D. 1992. Sampling the Evidence of Extension Program Impact. Program
Evaluation and Organizational Development, IFAS, University of Florida. PEOD-5.
October.
KALRO (2019). Coffee propagation Production Manual
KNBS (2019). Kenyan Census population Statistics. Available at
https://data.humdata.org/organization/kenya-national-bureau-of-statistics.
Accessed on 30.09.2020
Max Havelaar Foundation. Coffee Farmers in Dire Straits on The Climate Academy and Scarce
Coffee. Benefit Proposal Nationale Postcode Loterij In Partnership with Fairtrade
International and Fairtrade Africa
Mongabay (2020). Deforestation statistics for Kenya. Accessed on 30.09.2020 from
rainforests.mongabay.com.
56 | P a g e
Pham, Y., Reardon-Smith, K., Mushtaq, S., & G. Cockfield (2019). The impact of climate
change and variability on coffee production: a systematic review. Climatic Change 156,
609–630
Pellerano L (2011). CGP Impact Evaluation Sampling Design and Targeting Evaluation
Research. Oxford Policy Management Limited
Stukel D.M and Friedman G. (2016). Sampling Guide for Beneficiary. Based Surveys in
Support of Data Collection for Selected Feed the Future Agricultural Annual
Monitoring Indicators. Washington, DC: Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance
Project, FHI 360
Taskforce, (2016). Report of the National Task Force on Coffee Sub-Sector Reforms,
Government of Kenya.
UNDP (2019). Cultivating youth entrepreneurship through agribusiness. Published in
https://www.ke.undp.org/. Accessed on 21 August 2020
57 | P a g e
6 APPENDIX
Annex 1: The Terms of Reference (attached)
Climate-Academy_-T
erms-of-Reference_-End-ofproject-evaluation.pdf
Annex 2: : Kapkiyai and Kakuyuni FCSs Case studies (attached)
Case studies
Kapkiyai and Musilili FCSs.docx
Annex 3:Photographs (as a separate attachment)
Annex 4: Consent forms (as separate attachment)
Annex 5: Raw data
FINAL cleaned HH
Data Entry Sheet - Machakos.xlsx
FINAL-Cleaned HH
Data Entry - Kericho Complete.xlsx
58 | P a g e
Annex 5: Attendance Lists for Focussed Group Discussions
59 | P a g e
Annex 6:Key Informants Interviewed
Name Position and Organisation Contacts
Agapeters
Kubasu
Operations Manager
Fairtrade Africa-Eastern and
Central Africa Network
0717583705
Leah Mutinda Monitoring and Evaluation
Officer
Fairtrade Africa-Eastern and
Central Africa Network (ECAN)
0712009616
Bernard Njoroge Project Officer -CAP 0719667328
Carolyn Wanjira
Njeru
Programme Manager,
We Effect
0722679567
wanjira.njeru@We Effect.org
James Ndetto General manager Finance, MCU.
CAP Project Coordinator
0722937900
James Kariuki Director Agriculture Crops,
Machakos
Dr. Mwangangi Director Agriculture Livestock 0722 795656
Steve Kilonzo Chief Officer Coffee 0711859535
Kyalo Nyamu Cooperatives Commissioner 0727 131460
Prof. Douglas
Shitanda
DVC, Academics, Machakos
University
0722272265
Eliud Keter Ward Agricultural Extension
officer. Songhor ward
0718351785
Ms. Joyce
Mbithe Kioko
Chairlady, Pioneer VSLA 0713 291989
Ms. Kanini Manager T Tot Hotel 0735135558
Ms. Mwende Sales, Davis & Shirtliff Machakos
James Mutisya Promoter Service Provider-
Kakuyuni FCS
0728333041
Esther Munyiva Promoter -Mangaani area 0707277484
Alice Jeptoo Artisan biogas- Kapkiyai FCS 0717898223
Josephine
Kanyambu
Manager Moko Sacco 0722902558
Josephat Nzeki Mill manager -MCU Coffee Mills 0704514004
Serah Kiio Chairlady, Woni Mulungalu
VSLA.
0706388867
Stephen Kilonzo Poultry farmer-Musilili FCS 0720982450
Paul Ngei Secretary Manager -Musilili FCS 0712138980
Martha Kiteta Secretary Manager -New
Mitamboni FCS
0725613084
Consolata
Syombua
Secretary Manager -Kyaume FCS 0708953182
Shadrack Nzeki Secretary Manager - [email protected]
Joseph Mbinda Secretary Manager -Mwatati FCS 0724510624
60 | P a g e
Alfonce Musyimi
Wambua
Secretary Manager -Kitwii FCS 0721110193
Salome Kilonzo Secretary Manager -Kakuyuni FCS 0711255207
Geoffrey Korir Secretary Manager -Kabngetuny
FCS
0705524633
Bernard Sang Secretary Manager -Roret FCS 0714478153
Peter Koech Secretary Manager -Kapkiyai FCS [email protected]
0723354756
61 | P a g e
Annex 7: Change in some household parameter and Association to project Machakos
Parameter Reduced No change Increased Association of the change to project Summary
more than 10%
0-10%
0% Slight (0-10%)
Moderate (10-20%0
high (over 20%(
Strong Moderate Slight None Some change (slight-high)
Some association
(slight-strong)
Total household income
Control 25 25 25 25 25
50.0
Treatment 16.7 14.3 11.9 26.2 16.7 14.3 17.5 22.5 12.5 47.5 57.2 52.5
Production per tree Control 50 25
25
25.0
Treatment 24.4 24.4 6.7 17.8 15.6 11.1 17.5 20 10 52.5 44.5 47.5
Total production in Kgs of coffee per year
Control 50
25 25
25.0
Treatment 26.7 24.4 8.9 17.8 13.3 8.9 23.3 14 4.7 58.1 40.0 42.0
Area under cofee Control 25
75
0.0
Treatment 4.8 2.4 83.3 9.5
4.9 4.9 7.3 82.9 9.5 17.1
Income from coffee Control 100
0.0
Treatment 37.8 37.8 8.9 11.1 2.2 2.2 6.8 4.5 13.6 75 15.5 24.9
Income through alternative sources
Control
75 25
100.0
Treatment 2.3 2.3 11.4 43.2 22.7 18.2 14 34.9 11.6 39.5 84.1 60.5
Ability to pay for health for family
Control 50
25 25
25.0
Treatment 13.6 15.9 15.9 31.8 13.6 9.1 9.3 25.6 20.9 44.2 54.5 55.8
Food security Control 50
25 25
25.0
Treatment 13.6 6.8 15.9 22.7 20.5 20.5 18.6 23.3 18.6 39.5 63.7 60.5
Cost of energy for cooking
Control
75 25
25.0
Treatment 24.4 4.4 42.2 11.1 11.1 6.7 27.3 13.6 9.1 50 28.9 50.0
62 | P a g e
Annex 8: Change in some household parameter and Association to project Kericho
Parameter Reduced No change Increased Association of the change to project Summary
more than 10%
0-10%
0% Slight (0-10%)
Moderate (10-20%0
high (over 20%(
Strong Moderate Slight None Some change (slight-high)
Some association
(slight-strong)
Total household income
Control 0 0 50 50 0 0
50.0
Treatment 0 0 4.8 28.6 23.8 42.9 57.1 38.1 4.8 0 95.3 100.0
Total production in Kgs of coffee per year
Control 16.7 33.3 16.7 33.3 0 0
33.3
Treatment 0 4.8 0 19 28.6 47.6 61.9 33.3 0 4.8 95.2 95.2
Area under coffee
Control 16.7 0 83.3 0 0 0
0.0
Treatment
4.8 57.1 14.3 14.3 9.5 14.3 19 4.8 61.9 38.1 38.1
Income from coffee
Control 16.7 0 0 83.3 0 0
83.3
Treatment 4.8 0 0 33.3 19 42.9 57.1 33.3 9.5 0 95.2 99.9
Ability to pay for health for family
Control
16.7 66.7 16.6 0 0
16.6
Treatment 0 4.8 0 42.9 23.8 28.6 38.1 52.4 9.5 0 95.3 100.0
Food security Control 0 16.7 50 33.3 0 0
33.3
Treatment 0 0 19.5 19 33.3 38.1 47.6 38.1 9.5 4.8 90.4 95.2
Cost of energy for cooking
Control 0 0 83.3 16.7 0 0
16.7
Treatment 66.7 4.8 9.5 0 14.3 4.8 71.4 19 0 9.5 19.1 90.4
Others Perceived health benefits
Control 0 0 83.3 16.7 0 0
16.7
Treatment 4.8 0 9.5 9.5 33.3 42.9 57.1 28.6 4.8 9.5 85.7 90.5
63 | P a g e
Annex 9: Trainings and effectiveness
SALM- Machakos
Training type Group % practicing
% Trained Very important
Important fairly important
Slightly Important
Not important
Agroforestry Treatment 97.1 46.5 73.5 20.6 2.9 0 2.9 99.9
Control 96.2 65.9 73.1 26.9 0 0 0 100
Conservation agriculture Treatment 92.3 36.1 69.2 26.2 0 3.8 0 99.2
Control 93.8 38.1 68.8 25 0 0 6.3 100.1
Organic farming Treatment 77.1 48.6 57.1 20 14.3 8.6 0 100
Control 87.5 38.1 62.5 31.3 6.3 0 0 100.1
Integrated pest management
Treatment 97.1 48.6 62.9 25.7 5.7 2.9 2.9 100.1
Control 85 47.6 70 25 5 0 0 100
Integrated livestock management
Treatment 100 31.9 69.6 21.7 4.3 4.3 99.9
Control 81.8 26.2 72.7 27.3 0 0 0 100
Soil and water conservation Treatment 96.7 41.7 70 23.3 0 6.7 0 100
Control 93.8 38.1 68.8 31.3 0 0 0 100.1
Agronomical practices Treatment 100 34.7 68 24 8 0 0 100
Control 93.8 40.5 75 25 0 0 0 100
Tree nursery establishment Treatment 76.2 29.2 81 14.3 4.8 0 0 100.1
Control 71.4 19 62.5 37.5 0 0 0 100
Sustainable energy Treatment 50 34.7 44 28 20 4 4 100
Control 85 47.6 70 25 5 0 0 100
Climate change Treatment 96 34.7 68 28 0 4 0 100
Control 86.7 33 53.3 46.7 0 0 0 100
Disaster risk management Treatment 100 15.3 54.5 27.3 18.2 0 0 100
Control 90 23.8 70 30 0 0 0 100
Greenhouse Treatment 33.3 12.5 66.7 11.1 11.1 11.1 0 100
64 | P a g e
Control 100 9.5 100 0 0 0 0 100
Income/Business related training- Machakos
Farming as a business Treatment 61.1 72.7 20.5 6.8 0 0 100
Control 42.9 72.2 22.2 5.6 0 0 100
Record keeping Treatment 43.1 73.3 20 0 3.3 3.3 99.9
Control 54.8 60.9 30.4 0 4.3 4.3 99.9
Financial literacy Treatment 36.1 80 16 4 0 0 100
Control 19 75 12.5 0 0 12.5 100
value addition of coffee-roasting and packaging
Treatment 11.1 37.5 50 12.5 0 0 100
Control 2.4 100 0 0 0 0 100
Gender and social inclusion Treatment 33.3 56 40 4 0 0 100
Control 31 69.2 23.1 7.7 0 0 100
Kericho -Biogas 0
Biogas Treatment 95 95.2 90 10 0 0 0 100
Control 50 16.7 50 0 0 50 0 100
65 | P a g e
Annex 10: Level of knowledge on areas capacity building was done
Level of Knowledge Machakos 2017 2019
Very high high fair low very low Very high high fair low very low
Agroforestry Treatment 5.6 16.7 54.2 18.1 5.6 29.2 38.9 18.1 8.3 5.6
Control 9.5 11.9 35.7 33.3 9.5 26.2 28.6 19 19 7.1
Conservation agriculture Treatment 4.2 12.5 36.1 22.2 25 16.7 29.2 23.6 8.3 22.2
Control 4.9 12.2 26.8 17.1 39 14.6 29.3 17.1 7.3 31.7
Organic farming Treatment 7 12.7 39.4 15.5 25.4 25.4 26.8 18.3 5.6 23.9
Control 7.1 11.9 35.7 14.3 31 16.7 31 11.9 7.1 33.3
Level of Knowledge Kericho
Biogas plant management Treatment 4.8 0 9.5 4.8 81 47.6 38.1 4.8 0 9.5
Control 0 0 8.3 8.3 83.3 8.3 0 16.7 0 75
Bogas use Treatment 9.5 4.8 4.8 19 61.9 61.9 33.3 0 0 4.8
Control 0 0 8.3 8.3 83.3 8.3 0 16.7 0 75
Biogas slury management Treatment 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8 81 61.9 33.3 0 0 4.8
Control 0 0 8.3 8.3 83.3 8.3 0 8.3 0 83.3
Biogas unit construction Treatment 4.8 0 9.5 4.8 81 33 4.8 0 4.8 52.4
Control 0 0 8.3 8.3 83.3 8.3 83.3 8.3 0 75
66 | P a g e
Annex 11: Assets Owned by Households
Machakos treatment Machakos control Kericho treatment Kericho control
No Value Total No Value Total No Value Total No Value Total
Electricity 2017 0.52 291519 11066061 0.5 35182 738822 0.52 25657 280174.4 0.64 21375 164160
2019 0.74 291519 15747856 0.69 35182 1019574.36 0.67 25657 360994 0.75 21375 192375
Draught animals 2017 0.18 24050 316017 0.42 23722 418456.08 0.095 29285 58423.58 0 0 0
2019 0.23 24050 403799.5 0.38 23722 378603.12 0.048 29285 29519.28 0 0 0
Wheel barows 2017 0.79 2746 158361.8 0.98 3017 124179.72 0.38 2720 21705.6 1.1 3188 42081.6
2019 0.9 2746 180412.2 1.17 3017 148255.38 0.48 2720 27417.6 1 3188 38256
hand hoes 2017 3.16 428 98731.04 3.35 388 54591.6 3.95 450 37327.5 4.6 354 19540.8
2019 3.91 428 122164 4.59 388 74798.64 4.92 450 46494 5 354 21240
TV 2017 0.85 10617 658784.9 0.57 10022 239926.68 0.33 12807 88752.51 0.45 15,000 81000
2019 0.97 10617 751789.8 0.85 10022 357785.4 0.48 12807 129094.6 0.58 15,000 104400
Mobile phones 2017 1.32 2669 257184.8 1.07 3793 170457.42 1.81 4110 156221.1 3.27 3516 137967.8
2019 1.52 2669 296152.2 1.52 3793 242145.12 2.43 4110 209733.3 4.33 3516 182691.4
No 73
42
21
12
Total 2017
12555141
1746433.5
642604.7
444750.2
Total 2019
17502174
2221162.02
803252.7
538962.4
Total 2017
171988.2
41581.75
30600.23
37062.52
Total 2019
239755.8
52884.81
38250.13
44913.53